João Velho's House or House of Arches

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Santa Maria Maior e Monserrate e Meadela

Location

Situated in the historic heart of Viana do Castelo, the Casa de João Velho stands in what was once the city's old walled town. It is just a few steps from Viana Cathedral, in a paved square that invites a quiet observation of its details. Its central position offers a point of reference for those exploring the locality's oldest streets.

A Testament to History

Dating from the late 15th and early 16th centuries, this residence is one of the few urban stone houses in late-Gothic style that remain in the country. Originally, it was part of a group of arcaded buildings, known as "Arcos da Matriz" (Main Arches), which marked the center of the walled town. Today, the Casa dos Arcos (House of the Arches) is the only one of these structures to survive, offering a rare glimpse into the residential architecture of the period.

Architectural Details

The house's main facade, built of ashlar, features a wide depressed arch on the ground floor, providing access to its interior through a portal with a canopial-inspired arch. On the upper floors, the facade stands out with two cross-mullioned windows, revealing a later Mannerist influence. On the side facades, broken arches are observed, highlighting the construction's antiquity. Its interiors, with spacious rooms and wooden ceilings, preserve an atmosphere that evokes centuries of history.

Between Name and Memory

Although widely known as Casa de João Velho (House of João Velho), historical records suggest that this was not the main residence of the notable Viana figure, João Velho. The coat of arms with his insignia, present on the main facade, was likely placed there at a later date, as were the corbels with anthropomorphic figures. João Velho was a squire and a prominent man of the town, even hosting King Manuel I in another of his houses. The house, currently municipal property, hosts a civic organization, thus remaining alive and integrated into the community of Viana do Castelo.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt