Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.5254449302628, -8.992121081398162

Quinta da Bacalhoa is a former property of the Portuguese Royal House. The farm with the famous Palácio da Bacalhoa - also known as Palácio dos Albuquerques - is located in the parish of Azeitão, municipality of Setúbal, more precisely in the small village of Vila Fresca de Azeitão.

The Palace and Quinta da Bacalhoa have been classified as a National Monument since 1910, with a change in designation in 1996.

It is considered the most beautiful farm from the first half of the 16th century that still exists in Portugal.

History In the 15th century it belonged, as a recreational farm, to João, Infante of Portugal, son of King D. João I. It was inherited by his daughter D. Brites, married to the second Duke of Viseu and mother of King D. Manuel I The buildings still in existence, the walls with turrets with domed ridges and also the large tank were improvements ordered by D. Brites.

This farm would be sold in 1528 to Brás de Albuquerque, the eldest son of Afonso de Albuquerque. The new owner, in addition to enriching the buildings with beautiful tiles, ordered the construction of a harmonious «pleasure house», next to the tank, and two robust pavilions, next to the side walls. At the end of the 16th century, this farm was part of the estate belonging to D. Jerónimo Teles Barreto — a descendant of Afonso de Albuquerque. This estate — which included Quinta da Bacalhoa — would be inherited by his sister, D. Maria Mendonça de Albuquerque, married to D. Jerónimo Manuel — from Casa da Atalaia — known by the nickname «Bacalhau».

It is very likely that the name «Bacalhoa», by which the former Quinta de Vila Fresca, in Azeitão came to be known, originated from the fact that the wife of D. Jerónimo Manuel was also designated in the same sarcastic way. This farm was enshrined among the artistic treasures of Portugal.

After a major legal dispute between the descendants, the morgado fell to D. José Francisco da Costa de Sousa e Albuquerque (1740-1802), chief gunsmith of the Kingdom and chief shipowner of the King, married to Maria José de Sousa de Macedo, 2nd. Viscountess Mesquitella, 5th Baroness of Mullingar (United Kingdom). The Morgado would remain in the Mesquitella family (later Counts of Mesquitella and Dukes of Albuquerque), as well as the palatine titles of Major Gunsmith and Major Shipowner of the Kingdom and the King, until the beginning of the 20th century.

Having, naturally, undergone some modifications during its five centuries of existence, it still preserves the ogival vaults of its most remote times, the palace with Renaissance-style windows, the turrets representing the Via Sacra and decorative ceramic elements, from the 16th century. . The tiles bear the date of 1565 and the signature of the ceramist Francisco de Matos. Medallions in faience of Flemish origin frame busts of historical significance.

In 1936, the Palácio da Bacalhoa was bought and restored by an American, Orlena Scoville, whose grandson took on the mission of making the estate one of the biggest wine producers in Portugal. Later, the Palace and Quinta da Bacalhôa belonged to José Antonio Borges.

Currently, Quinta da Bacalhoa belongs to the Berardo Foundation, led by the Berardo family, the ninth richest in Portugal, whose patriarch is the Madeiran Joe Berardo.

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.5254449302628, -8.992121081398162

Quinta da Bacalhoa is a former property of the Portuguese Royal House. The farm with the famous Palácio da Bacalhoa - also known as Palácio dos Albuquerques - is located in the parish of Azeitão, municipality of Setúbal, more precisely in the small village of Vila Fresca de Azeitão.

The Palace and Quinta da Bacalhoa have been classified as a National Monument since 1910, with a change in designation in 1996.

It is considered the most beautiful farm from the first half of the 16th century that still exists in Portugal.

History In the 15th century it belonged, as a recreational farm, to João, Infante of Portugal, son of King D. João I. It was inherited by his daughter D. Brites, married to the second Duke of Viseu and mother of King D. Manuel I The buildings still in existence, the walls with turrets with domed ridges and also the large tank were improvements ordered by D. Brites.

This farm would be sold in 1528 to Brás de Albuquerque, the eldest son of Afonso de Albuquerque. The new owner, in addition to enriching the buildings with beautiful tiles, ordered the construction of a harmonious «pleasure house», next to the tank, and two robust pavilions, next to the side walls. At the end of the 16th century, this farm was part of the estate belonging to D. Jerónimo Teles Barreto — a descendant of Afonso de Albuquerque. This estate — which included Quinta da Bacalhoa — would be inherited by his sister, D. Maria Mendonça de Albuquerque, married to D. Jerónimo Manuel — from Casa da Atalaia — known by the nickname «Bacalhau».

It is very likely that the name «Bacalhoa», by which the former Quinta de Vila Fresca, in Azeitão came to be known, originated from the fact that the wife of D. Jerónimo Manuel was also designated in the same sarcastic way. This farm was enshrined among the artistic treasures of Portugal.

After a major legal dispute between the descendants, the morgado fell to D. José Francisco da Costa de Sousa e Albuquerque (1740-1802), chief gunsmith of the Kingdom and chief shipowner of the King, married to Maria José de Sousa de Macedo, 2nd. Viscountess Mesquitella, 5th Baroness of Mullingar (United Kingdom). The Morgado would remain in the Mesquitella family (later Counts of Mesquitella and Dukes of Albuquerque), as well as the palatine titles of Major Gunsmith and Major Shipowner of the Kingdom and the King, until the beginning of the 20th century.

Having, naturally, undergone some modifications during its five centuries of existence, it still preserves the ogival vaults of its most remote times, the palace with Renaissance-style windows, the turrets representing the Via Sacra and decorative ceramic elements, from the 16th century. . The tiles bear the date of 1565 and the signature of the ceramist Francisco de Matos. Medallions in faience of Flemish origin frame busts of historical significance.

In 1936, the Palácio da Bacalhoa was bought and restored by an American, Orlena Scoville, whose grandson took on the mission of making the estate one of the biggest wine producers in Portugal. Later, the Palace and Quinta da Bacalhôa belonged to José Antonio Borges.

Currently, Quinta da Bacalhoa belongs to the Berardo Foundation, led by the Berardo family, the ninth richest in Portugal, whose patriarch is the Madeiran Joe Berardo.