Palácio Ficalho in Serpa

Palácio Ficalho, also called the Palace of the Counts of Ficalho or Casa do Castelo, is a 17th-century palace in Serpa, a town in Portugal's Alentejo region, next to the old defensive walls. It has been open to visitors since 2021 and has held National Monument status since 2007.

Who built the palace in Serpa?

The story belongs to the Mello family. In the 15th century King João I entrusted João de Mello with guarding this stretch of the border with Castile. The family later held the post of alcaide-mor, the town's governor. An older structure already stood within the walls, and the Mellos lived there, which explains the second name, Casa do Castelo.

The present palace dates from the second half of the 17th century and was commissioned by the brothers Pedro and Martim Afonso de Mello, the latter a bishop of Guarda who died in 1684. The design is attributed to Mateus do Couto the Younger (d. 1696), architect of the Military Orders and royal engineer. He is also linked to the Church of Salvador and the altarpieces of the Church of Santa Maria in Serpa, which served as the Mello family pantheon.

The Counts of Ficalho

The best-known descendant was Francisco Manuel de Melo Breyner (1837-1903), 4th Count of Ficalho, a botanist and man of letters. He belonged to the Vencidos da Vida group, which also included his friend Eça de Queirós. Through the counts, the Ficalho name became attached to the palace.

Can you visit Palácio Ficalho?

Yes. The palace opened to the public in 2021 and quickly became a point of interest for cultural tourism in Alentejo. Visits are guided, so check current hours and tickets on the official website before you go. It stands at roughly 37.944 N, 7.599 W, in the centre of Serpa near the town walls.

Why visit?

The palace shows how the nobility lived on the Portuguese-Spanish frontier. It brings together the defensive history of the region, the story of an important Alentejo family and literary links to the era of Eça de Queirós. It fits naturally into a walk around Serpa, alongside the town's churches and old fortifications.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Palácio Ficalho? In Serpa, in the Alentejo region of Portugal.

When was it built? In the second half of the 17th century, replacing an older structure within the walls.

Is it a protected monument? Yes, it has been a National Monument since 2007.

Since when is it open to visitors? Since 2021.

Why is it called Casa do Castelo? Because the Mello family lived in a structure by the walls of the old castle, before the present palace was built.