Palacete Norton de Matos

Palacete Norton de Matos, also called the Edifício da Quinta dos Ulmeiros, is an eighteenth-century residence in Lisbon's Lumiar district, at Alameda das Linhas de Torres 150–152A. It is one of the former country estates that for centuries surrounded the Portuguese capital and gave its northern edges a rural character.

What is Palacete Norton de Matos?

It is a small palace in late Baroque style with Rococo touches. Its floor plan is irregular: a prominent central block is flanked by end wings, which hold the entrances. The two portals on the main facade draw the most attention, and both use the vocabulary of late Baroque. The current facades date from the end of the 18th century, and the finishing is considered careful.

The house is a good example of how the urban middle class and lesser nobility lived at the time. It is not a monumental royal palace but a more modest, yet distinctly dignified, landowner's residence.

Where does the name come from?

The building is named after General José Maria Mendes Ribeiro Norton de Matos (1867–1955), who lived here. He served as Minister of the Colonies and Minister of War during Portugal's First Republic, which makes him one of the notable political figures of that era.

The second name, Quinta dos Ulmeiros, recalls the site's earlier role. A "quinta" is a Portuguese country estate, and this one belonged to the many properties in the area used for both farming and leisure.

History of the estate

The property's origins go back to the second half of the 16th century, when it belonged to Afonso Torres, a wealthy merchant of the Age of Discoveries who was later ennobled. It later passed to the Costa Lima family, whose heirs sold it in 1853 to Manuel de Matos Prego e Sousa.

It seems plausible that the buildings of Quinta das Conchas and Quinta dos Ulmeiros once formed a single unit. Their windows share a similar design, and the two estates adjoined each other. It is not known when they were separated.

Why visit?

Until the mid-20th century, Lumiar was a landscape of quintas, gardens and fields, and it counted among the most characteristic images of Lisbon. The palacete is one of the few buildings that recall that world amid modern development. It suits anyone interested in Baroque architecture, Portuguese history, or walks away from the main tourist routes.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Palacete Norton de Matos? In Lisbon's Lumiar district, at Alameda das Linhas de Torres 150–152A.

What style is the building? Late Baroque with Rococo elements, with two noteworthy portals on the main facade.

Who lived here? The best-known figure linked to the house is General Norton de Matos, Minister of the Colonies and of War under the First Republic.

Does the building have another name? Yes, it is also known as the Edifício da Quinta dos Ulmeiros.

How old is it? The house has 18th-century roots and its current facades date from the late 1700s. The estate itself existed as early as the second half of the 16th century.