Casa e Quinta de Bonjóia

Casa e Quinta de Bonjóia is a historic house with grounds in the eastern part of Porto, Portugal. The 18th-century baroque building has a square floor plan and a tower on one of its facades. It was never finished, which makes it an intriguing stop for anyone interested in the city's architecture and history.

Where does the estate come from?

The name Bonjóia goes back to the Middle Ages. Records show that by the late 14th century a quinta, a rural country estate, already stood here, owned by the churchman Martim Viegas. His descendants donated it to the cathedral chapter of Porto (Sé do Porto). From the 16th century onwards it was leased to a succession of tenants.

Who built the present house?

In 1758 the estate was bought by Lourenço Amorim da Gama Lobo, a nobleman attached to the royal household. He had married the daughter of João Antunes Guimarães, a prominent Porto merchant. He commissioned the house we see today. The researcher Robert C. Smith attributed the design to Nicolau Nasoni (1691-1773), the Italian painter and architect who shaped much of Porto's baroque character.

Why is the house unfinished?

Only the western wing was completed. The planned eastern part was never built. In this respect the building resembles another Porto residence, Casa da Prelada, which also remained a fragment of a larger plan.

The 19th and 20th centuries

The property passed through several families. In 1935 it was sold to the judge Abílio Augusto Mendes de Carvalho. Over this period the house received ad hoc alterations and slowly deteriorated. In 1995 Porto's municipal council purchased it, ending the years of neglect.

What is it like today?

Today the quinta is the headquarters of Fundação Porto Social, a non-profit institution. The gardens are part of Porto's municipal green spaces and are listed among gardens linked to the city's museums.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Casa e Quinta de Bonjóia? In Porto, in northern Portugal, in the eastern part of the city.

Who designed the house? The design is attributed to Nicolau Nasoni, though this is a researcher's attribution rather than a documented certainty.

What period is the building from? The 18th century, in baroque style. The estate itself is much older, dating back to the late 14th century.

Why does the building look incomplete? Only the western wing was finished; the eastern part was never built.

Who owns it? Since 1995 it has belonged to the city of Porto, and Fundação Porto Social is based here.

Is it worth a visit? Yes, if you enjoy Porto's baroque architecture and lesser-known sights away from the main tourist trail. Check current access rules on the city's official channels before you go.