Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval

Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval (Paço dos Duques de Cadaval) stands on the acropolis of Évora, in the Alentejo region of Portugal. It is a noble residence that grew out of a medieval fortified site, and it still ties together several centuries of Portuguese history in one compact building.

What is the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval?

The palace is a historic townhouse-fortress in the highest part of Évora's old town. Its origins go back to the 14th century, when Martim Afonso de Melo, a nobleman in the service of the Master of Avis, had it built. The construction used part of the older Roman-Visigothic defensive walls of the former Évora castle, so traces of those earlier layers remain in the structure.

Where is it and how do you find it?

The building sits on the acropolis, the elevated core of Évora, among the streets of the historic centre. The coordinates are roughly 38.5735 N, 7.9074 W. Because the old town is small and walkable, the palace is easy to combine with a stroll through the surrounding lanes. The historic centre of Évora is a place where monuments from very different periods stand close together.

What does the architecture look like?

The palace mixes Mudéjar, Gothic and Manueline elements, a combination typical of Portuguese architecture around the turn of the 15th and 16th centuries. At the back of the complex rises the Tower of the Five Quinas (Torre das Cinco Quinas), a pentagonal tower. The palace's popular name refers to this feature.

Why is it historically important?

The palace served as a temporary residence for Portuguese monarchs, including John II, John IV and John V. It also has a darker chapter: it was used as a place of imprisonment for Fernando II, Duke of Braganza, who was accused of conspiring against King John II. He was beheaded in Évora's Praça do Giraldo in 1483.

The title of Duke of Cadaval was created in 1648 by King John IV for Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, an influential figure in the Restoration of Portuguese Independence in 1640. The palace is associated with this family.

Can you visit it?

The palace remains the residence of the Dukes of Cadaval, so it is not a fully open museum. The church and some of the rooms are open to the public throughout the year. Opening hours and ticket details can change, so check them with the palace before you go.

Frequently asked questions

Who built the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval? Martim Afonso de Melo, a nobleman serving the Master of Avis, commissioned it in the 14th century.

Why is it called the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval? The dukedom of Cadaval was created in 1648 for Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, and the palace became linked to this ducal family.

What is the Tower of the Five Quinas? It is the pentagonal tower at the back of the palace, the most recognisable feature of the building.

Do people still live there? Yes. It remains the residence of the Dukes of Cadaval, with the church and some rooms open to visitors.

What styles can you see? Mudéjar, Gothic and Manueline, built on top of Roman-Visigothic wall remains.