Casa de Santa Maria, Cascais

Casa de Santa Maria is a historic house museum in Cascais, a seaside town on the Portuguese Riviera a short way from Lisbon. Built in 1902, it is one of the best-known works of architect Raul Lino and a notable example of both Portuguese summer architecture and Lino's "Casa Portuguesa" school.

Who built Casa de Santa Maria, and why?

In the late 19th century, Jorge O'Neil, an aristocrat with wide business connections, bought land near the Santa Marta area of Cascais. He first had a residence built there, which today houses the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum. A little later he commissioned a second house from Raul Lino as a wedding present for his daughter. That house is Casa de Santa Maria, standing close to the first palace by the bay.

What makes Raul Lino's design special?

Lino was told to set aside the fashionable styles of the day and design the house using only materials found in Portugal. The result is a building with clean lines, a traditional tiled roof and recessed azulejo panels. A clear Moorish influence runs through it, echoing the tradition that shaped many of the country's finest buildings. Rather than importing foreign models, the house draws on local building and craft traditions, which was the heart of the Casa Portuguesa idea.

Which azulejos can you see inside?

The interiors are a main reason to visit. The ground floor is decorated with polychrome blue and yellow tiles that come from the Marvila Convent in Lisbon. The chapel features narrative scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, made of tiles crafted in Talavera, Spain, in the late 16th century. The house also holds a set of 17th-century azulejos and a wooden ceiling painted in oil by António de Oliveira Bernardes, brought from an old chapel in Frielas. A collector's love of older art turned the house into a showcase of Portuguese craftsmanship.

How did the house become a museum?

Casa de Santa Maria belonged to the Espírito Santo family. In October 2004 the Municipal Council of Cascais (Câmara Municipal de Cascais) bought it from them. Today it is open to the public as a museum, where visitors can see period furniture and learn more about local history and culture. It offers a glimpse of how a wealthy family lived on the Atlantic coast at the turn of the 20th century.

Where is it and what is nearby?

The house stands in Cascais near the coast, at coordinates 38.6911 N, 9.4214 W. Its nearest neighbour is the Condes de Castro Guimarães Museum mentioned above, so the two are easy to combine in one walk. The historic centre of Cascais is not far, and the area suits exploring on foot along the seafront paths.

Frequently asked questions

Who designed Casa de Santa Maria? Architect Raul Lino, a leading figure of the Casa Portuguesa movement.

When was it built? In 1902.

Can you go inside? Yes, the house is open to visitors as a museum. Check opening hours and ticket prices on the Cascais municipal website before you go.

What are the highlights? Historic azulejos, the painted ceiling, the chapel with Talavera tiles and the period furniture.

Who owns it today? Since 2004, the Cascais municipality, which bought it from the Espírito Santo family.

What is it built from? By design, only materials available in Portugal.