About this place
Palacete Ribeiro da Cunha is a nineteenth-century mansion in Lisbon, standing on Príncipe Real square in the Bairro Alto district. Its Moorish Revival façade has long been one of the most recognisable sights in this part of the city.
Who built it, and when?
Construction began in 1877 for José Ribeiro da Cunha (1813–1883), a financier and tobacco merchant. The design was by the Lisbon architect Henrique Carlos Afonso, and the work was finished by 1879. The building occupies a corner plot roughly in the middle of what was then Praça do Príncipe Real, and it is regarded as the first of its kind built in the Portuguese capital.
What does it look like?
The palacete blends Moorish-inspired architecture with Art Nouveau details. Its exotic façade suited the tastes of the period's bourgeoisie and quickly came to dominate the square. Images of the building were widely reproduced on postcards, which made it a symbol of the neighbourhood. Heritage protection covers not only the house but also its garden.
How has the building's use changed?
In 1911, D. Maria Carlota Paiva Cunha sold the property to the capitalist Ernesto Henrique Seixas. The following year, alteration and extension works began, including a greenhouse. In 1916 a pavilion for stables and carriages was added.
In the second half of the twentieth century, part of the upper floors housed the Rectory of the New University of Lisbon, from 1965 and again from 1980 to 2005. The building was then left empty for a time. In 2013 it reopened as Embaixada, a shopping gallery showcasing design and local brands.
What is there to see nearby?
Príncipe Real is one of Lisbon's more elegant districts, known for small boutiques, cafés and the shaded garden at the centre of the square. The palacete fits easily into a walk through Bairro Alto and the surrounding streets.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Palacete Ribeiro da Cunha? On Príncipe Real square in Lisbon, in the Bairro Alto area.
Who designed it? Henrique Carlos Afonso, for José Ribeiro da Cunha.
What style is the building? Mainly Moorish Revival, with Art Nouveau touches.
What is inside today? Since 2013 it has housed the Embaixada shopping gallery.
Was it always open to the public? No. It began as a private residence, later housed a university rectory, and then stood empty before taking on its current role.
Is it worth a visit if I am not shopping? Yes, the architecture of the façade and interiors alone makes a short stop worthwhile.
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