Palácio B
This abandoned palace is one of the most charming palaces I have been able to admire in the past year. When I saw it for the first time on the internet, I was deeply impressed and couldn’t wait to see it with my own eyes. Unfortunately due to the corona crisis, my first trip was not a happy one. When the news reports offered some lean way to travel again, I immediately booked my trip again. But until the last moment it was very nerve wrecking if it could go ahead this time. Because of the delta variant was gaining influence on Covid numbers, and it seemed like some countries and cities would go into lock down again.
But finally I was there. As soon as I entered the palace I was overwhelmed by the immense beauty and a smile appeared from ear to ear. The architecture, murals, the beautiful large rooms, the beautiful dome, the antique wooden furniture were all astonishing. The upper colonnade leads to a glass-door corridor, overlooking the exceptional garden, which is full of tropical and sub-tropical plants that were still in bloom all the time I was there. In the garden there were several statues, as well as a very run and beaten down theater and two fascinating greenhouses.
A BIT OF HISTORY
This massive 17th century building became the home of a Count B, one of the richest persons in Portugal, who restored it later in the 19th century and decorated it with numerous precious stones For more than 25 years, the nobles bought (mainly) paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, furniture and jewelry in France. His death, early 19th century, and his wife’s, in the 20th century, caused a battle between children and grandchildren regarding this inheritance. Finally, the family wanted to auction the collection of in London or Paris, but the state refused to allow this, much to the discontent of the family. They were forced to auction the collection of, due to lack of means, in the 1930s. It was a great event that attracted many traders and collectors from Europe. After the auction, the palace stood uninhabited and empty for years. Times have changed and the family no longer had the means to keep it. In the 1940s, it was bought by the state who installed a school for colonial services and then it became a university until the early 21st century, when academic activities moved to a new building with modern facilities.
Former students describe it as a great place to study and even better to party (all the students in town knew about the unforgettable nights when the palace became a gigantic disco). I hope that the building will regain its shine and the lamps will be on again in all the rooms once more.
A small theater with beautiful ceiling decorations
It was very difficult to photograph the staircase in its entirety so a panaroma shot had to be made.
The decorations continued all the way to the ceiling. how beautiful is that.
The walls were first decorated with valuable works of art unfortunately they were stolen last year. really terrible
Greenhouses always make me happy. so I like to photograph them
A beautiful spiral staircase one of the most beautiful I have come across
Stairway to heaven.
I could take pictures of the beautiful decorated walls for hours
