Architectural, Cultural sights in Portugal
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A
Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães
The grounds of Parque Marechal Carmona harbour the Museu Condes de Castro Guimarães, the whimsical early-19th-century mansion of Irish aristocrat Jorge O’Neill, complete with castle turrets and Arabic cloister. But the clover leaves inside didn’t bring him luck – he went bankrupt and had to sell up. His successor, Count of Castro Guimarães, lavishly decorated the abode with 17th-century Indo-Portuguese cabinets, Oriental silk tapestries and 17th-century azulejos. Don’t miss the rare 16th-century manuscript depicting pre-earthquake Lisbon. Admission is with half-hourly guided tours.
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B
Casa Do Infante
Just back from the river is the handsomely renovated Casa do Infante. It’s claimed Henry the Navigator was born here in 1394, and the building later served as Porto’s first customs house. Today it houses three floors of exhibits on the complex activities of the customs house throughout the centuries; there’s also a model of Porto from its medieval days. In 2002 the complex was excavated, revealing Roman foundations as well as some remarkable mosaics – all of which are now on display.
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C
Castelo dos Governadores
Castelo dos Governadores was built by the Arabs. After the Reconquista in the 13th century, the Algarve's military government was established here in the 14th century. It's said that the ill-fated, evangelical Dom Sebastião attended an open-air Mass here and spoke to the assembled nobility from a small Manueline window in the castle, before leading them to a crushing defeat at Alcácer-Quibir (Morocco).
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D
Museu Romântico
Nestled on the garden’s south slopes is the Quinta da Macieirinha, the small but stately home where the exiled king of Sardinia spent his final days holed up in 1843. The upstairs has been turned into the modest Museu Romântico, featuring the king’s belongings and dainty period furnishings. Downstairs is the wonderful Solar do Vinho do Porto.
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E
Casa dos Bicos
The pincushion facade of Casa dos Bicos, the eccentric 16th-century abode of Afonso de Albuquerque, former viceroy to India, grabs your attention on Rua dos Bacalhoeiros. Chequered with 1125 pyramid-shaped stones, it now houses a private organisation, but nip inside if the lobby is open to glimpse remnants of the old Moorish city wall and brick streets.
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F
Mosteiro da Serra de Pilar
Watching over the entire scene is the severe, 17th-century hilltop Mosteiro da Serra de Pilar, with its striking, circular cloister. Requisitioned by the future Duke of Wellington during the Peninsular wars, it still belongs to the Portuguese military and is closed to the public. The church is open for mass on Sunday mornings from 10:00 to 12:00.
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G
Casa Do Raio
An extroverted work by André Soares da Silva is the Casa do Raio, its rococo face covered in azulejos. It is closed to the public, but still worth seeing from the outside.
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H
Quinta dos Marquêses da Fronteira
Quinta dos Marquêses da Fronteira is a charming, run-down 17th-century mansion, with tiles covering any space that's not formal Renaissance garden. You must reserve ahead for a tour.
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