t Statue of João IV in front of the Paço Ducal
F5 ⌂ Terreiro do Paço, Vila Viçosa § 268 980 659 @ # Jun–Sep: 2–6pm Tue, 10am–1pm, 2pm–6pm Wed–Sun; Oct–May: 2–5pm Tue, 10am–1pm, 2–5pm Wed–Sun ¢ Public hols, 16 Aug
The dukes of Bragança owned vast estates, but this lavish palace at Vila Viçosa, begun by Dom Jaime in 1501, became their favoured residence. The palace is set in a pretty hillside town, which was named Val Viçosa – “fertile valley” – after the expulsion of the Moors in 1226. Substantial houses, built from the local white marble, reflect Vila Vicosa’s prosperous royal past and the town is full of reminders of the Braganças. Dominating the west side of the Terreiro do Paço is the long façade of the Paço Ducal, which stretches for 110 m (360 ft).
Afonso, illegitimate son of João I, was created duke of Bragança in 1442, first of an influential but bloodstained dynasty. Fernando, the 3rd duke, was executed in 1483 by his cousin, João II, who feared his power. Jaime, the unstable 4th duke, locked up his wife in Bragança castle, then killed her at Vila Viçosa. It was Dom Jaime who initiated the building of the palace at Vila Viçosa, an ambitious work embellished by later dukes to reflect their aspirations and affluence. The 8th duke was very reluctant to relinquish a life of music and hunting here to take up the throne.
t Statue of João IV in front of the Paço Ducal
When the 8th duke became king in 1640, many of the furnishings accompanied him to Lisbon, but the long suite of first-floor rooms is still splendid, from the Sala da Cabra-Cega, where royal parties played blind man’s buff, to the heroic Sala de Hércules. More intimate are the rooms of King Carlos and his wife, which are much as the king left them the day before his assassination in 1908.
Guided tours, which last about an hour, take in the royal rooms ranged along the first floor and ground-floor areas such as the kitchen and the treasury. Entry to the coach museum, on the north side of the palace, and armoury is by separate tickets. From time to time areas may be closed for restoration and rooms can be shut off without notice.
Experience Alentejo
t Home to a historic chapel
Experience Alentejo
Sala dos Duques
Lining the ceiling of the Room of the Dukes are portraits of all the dukes of Bragança by Domenico Dupra (1689 –1770).
Kitchen
The vast kitchen gleams with over 600 copper pots and pans, some large enough to bathe in.
Chapel
Despite later additions, the chapel has retained its coffered ceiling from the early 16th century.
Armouries
A series of vaulted rooms, displaying swords, crossbows, halberds and suits of armour.
The Library
Home to precious early works collected by King Manuel II while in exile.
The last monarch, Manuel II, fled into exile after 270 years of Bragança rule.