Palácio dos Condes da Guarda, Cascais

Palácio dos Condes da Guarda is a historic palace in the centre of Cascais, in the Lisbon District of Portugal. Today it does two jobs at once: it is the seat of the municipal government (Paços do Concelho), and its ground floor houses a museum telling the story of the town.

What is the Palácio dos Condes da Guarda?

It is one of the most representative buildings in Cascais. As the headquarters of the Municipality of Cascais it works as the town hall, yet visitors can also step inside to learn about the town's past. The building is a listed cultural heritage monument and has been classified as a Property of Municipal Interest (Imóvel de Interesse Municipal) since 2006.

Who built it, and why that name?

Construction was ordered in the late 18th century by D. Inês Antónia da Cunha. The palace takes its name from the Counts of Guarda (Condes da Guarda), the family who owned it in the 19th century. It was sold in 1917.

How has the building's use changed?

After the 1917 sale the building had several lives. It served as a casino, housed various commercial businesses and a post office. In 1940 the town council offices moved in, and it has been tied to Cascais administration ever since. This layered history mirrors the town itself, which grew from a fishing village into a fashionable seaside resort.

What should you look at on the facade?

The highlight is the azulejos, Portuguese glazed tiles, covering the facades. These neoclassical religious panels depict the Four Evangelists. They were produced by the Real Fábrica de Louça do Rato and painted by Francisco de Paula e Oliveira. Using neoclassical religious tile panels on the exterior is unusual and sets the palace apart from its surroundings.

The Museu da Vila

The ground floor holds the Museu da Vila, dedicated to the history of Cascais. In 2015 part of the ground floor was renovated to house it, and the museum opened as part of the celebrations of the 650th anniversary of the town of Cascais. It is a good first stop if you want to understand how the town developed over the centuries before heading out to explore.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the palace? In Cascais, Lisbon District, Portugal, at roughly 38.6968 N, 9.4208 W.

Is it still a working government building? Yes. It is the headquarters of the Municipality of Cascais, so besides the museum it has administrative functions. Visits mainly concern the museum on the ground floor and the exterior.

Why is it called "Condes da Guarda"? Because in the 19th century it belonged to the family of the Counts of Guarda. It had originally been built on the orders of D. Inês Antónia da Cunha.

What is the most interesting feature outside? The neoclassical azulejos showing the Four Evangelists, made by the Real Fábrica de Louça do Rato.

When did the town council move in? In 1940, after the building had served as a casino, a commercial premises and a post office.

In short

The Palácio dos Condes da Guarda combines late 18th-century architecture, distinctive azulejos and a present-day role as the town's administrative and cultural hub. If you visit Cascais, pause at this facade and look inside the ground-floor museum to meet the town's history first-hand.