Palácio dos Aciprestes – a palace in Linda-a-Velha (Oeiras)

Palácio dos Aciprestes is an eighteenth-century palace in Linda-a-Velha, in the municipality of Oeiras, a short distance from central Lisbon. Today it is the seat of the Fundação Marquês de Pombal and hosts exhibitions, concerts and cultural gatherings.

Where is the palace?

It stands in Linda-a-Velha, within the parish of Algés, Linda-a-Velha e Cruz Quebrada-Dafundo, in the Lisbon District of Portugal, at roughly 38.7117 N, 9.2423 W. The building sits at the heart of the former Quinta dos Aciprestes estate, around which the surrounding neighbourhood grew.

How did the palace come about?

The estate's history goes back to the 13th century, when the whole area belonged to a landholding known as the Herdade da Ninha de Ribamar. In the 17th century it was called Casal Grande. The name Quinta dos Aciprestes, "Estate of the Cypresses", appeared only at the start of the 18th century.

The palace was commissioned by Alexandre de Gusmão, a diplomat and statesman of the period, to whom the king granted the estate. The original design is attributed to the architect João Pedro Ludovice (1700–1760), known as the second architect of the Mafra Palace-Convent. Ludovice worked in the Portuguese Baroque idiom, one of the defining currents of the country's architecture in that century.

What happened after the 1755 earthquake?

The great earthquake of 1755, which devastated much of Lisbon and its surroundings, badly damaged the palace. It was rebuilt completely. Further work followed in the twentieth century: in 1955 the architect Raul Lino gave the building its present architectural form, and another intervention took place in 1960.

Raul Lino is among the most respected Portuguese architects of the first half of the 20th century, an advocate of the "Portuguese house" style rooted in local building traditions.

What is the palace used for today?

The palace is home to the Fundação Marquês de Pombal. The foundation regularly organises art exhibitions, concerts and tertúlias, informal discussion evenings. Visitors interested in the history of eighteenth-century Portugal will find a residence where Baroque origins, the aftermath of the 1755 disaster and twentieth-century remodelling all meet.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Palácio dos Aciprestes? In Linda-a-Velha, municipality of Oeiras, Lisbon District.

Who designed it? The original design is by João Pedro Ludovice; Raul Lino shaped its current form in 1955.

Who commissioned it? Alexandre de Gusmão, who received the Quinta dos Aciprestes from the king.

Was it damaged in the 1755 earthquake? Yes, it suffered severe damage and was then fully rebuilt.

What is inside today? The headquarters of the Fundação Marquês de Pombal, with exhibitions, concerts and talks.

What does the name mean? "Aciprestes" means cypresses; the name attached to the estate in the early 1700s.

Tips for visitors

Combine the palace with a walk around Oeiras, a municipality known for its historic residences and gardens. Check the foundation's or the municipality's website for the current programme before you go, since access to the interiors depends on scheduled exhibitions and concerts. Linda-a-Velha has its own station on the Lisbon–Cascais railway line, which makes the trip from the capital quick.