Palácio Fronteira

The Palácio dos Marqueses de Fronteira was built in 1671 as a hunting lodge for João de Mascarenhas, made first Marquis of Fronteira for his part in the war that restored Portuguese independence from Spain, and his descendants still live in part of it. The tilework is why people come. The formal garden is enclosed by walls faced in blue and white azulejos showing fourteen mounted cavaliers, each a family member or ally from that war, above a water tank; the Gallery of the Arts carries panels of the liberal arts and the terrace behind holds busts of Portuguese kings. Inside, the Battles Room is tiled with scenes from the Restoration War, and other rooms carry monkeys playing instruments, allegories of the seasons and hunting scenes. It is one of the largest and best-preserved seventeenth-century tile schemes anywhere, and visits are guided at set times.

History

The palace was built in 1671 as a hunting pavilion for João de Mascarenhas, 1st Marquis of Fronteira, who received his title from King Afonso VI for his loyalty to the House of Braganza in the Restoration War, and it remains the private home of the Marquises of Fronteira (Wikipedia, Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira).

What to look for

• The cavalier wall - fourteen mounted figures in azulejo above the garden water tank.
• The Battles Room - tiled scenes from the war that restored Portuguese independence.
• The gallery and terrace - liberal arts panels and busts of Portuguese kings.
• The private family - descendants of the first marquis still living in part of the house.

When to go

Year-round. One to two hours. Interior visits are guided at fixed times and must be checked in advance; the garden can sometimes be seen alone.

Practical notes

The house is a private residence, so interior access is by scheduled guided visit only and times are limited. Photography is restricted indoors. Getting there needs a metro-plus-walk or a taxi. Tickets are relatively expensive.

Nearby

The Lisbon zoo is close; the Aqueduto das Águas Livres crosses the valley nearby.

Key facts