Solar dos Costas, Lopes e Tavares

Solar dos Costas, Lopes e Tavares in Trancoso, widely known as the Palácio Ducal, is a late-Baroque manor house from the second half of the 18th century. It stands in the historic centre of the town in Beira Alta, in Portugal's Guarda district, and is one of Trancoso's most distinctive civil buildings.

What does the Solar dos Costas, Lopes e Tavares look like?

The house has an irregular L-shaped plan and two floors. Several extra wings are attached to the main volume, and hipped, four-sided roofs cover the whole. The main facade is regular, organised in three bays. The central section is crowned by a curved pediment. Below it is a doorway with a curved lintel, and above that a balcony window with a continuous balcony whose outline is shaped in flowing curves.

A family coat of arms sits above the central balcony. The most important holder of the arms was the nobleman D. António da Costa Coutinho Lopes Tavares e Ornelas.

Why is it called a "ducal palace"?

The name Palácio Ducal is misleading. Despite the word "ducal", the house was lived in by viscounts, not dukes. The name persists in local speech and in tourist material alongside the official name of the manor, which points to three linked families: Costa, Lopes and Tavares.

Who were the former owners?

The building is tied to Jacinto Lopes Tavares da Costa, owner of the House of Costas in Alpedrinha and the House of Lopes Tavares in Trancoso. Sources describe him as Governador das Armas da Beira, the military commander of the Beira province. The family belonged to the local elite, and the house reflects its standing in 18th-century Trancoso.

What happened to the building later?

In the 20th century the house served practical purposes, including a school and a post office. Later, part of it stood unused. In 2014 the municipality of Trancoso bought the property.

What are the plans for the future?

The municipality intends to convert the former palace into the town's museum. The rehabilitation project was drawn up by the Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture at the University of Beira Interior (UBI). The works were budgeted at more than 3.4 million euros, and a tender for the job has been opened. The museum is meant to add to the offer of a town known for its medieval castle, walls and Jewish heritage.

Can you go inside?

The building is partly vacant and, while it awaits renovation, its interiors are not a regular visitor attraction. The best way to enjoy it is from outside, looking at the facade, balcony and coat of arms. Before your visit, check current information at the Trancoso tourist office or on the municipality's website.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Palácio Ducal the same as the Solar dos Costas, Lopes e Tavares? Yes. They are two names for one building: the official family name and the popular one.

What period is the building from? The second half of the 18th century, in late-Baroque style.

Who owns it today? The municipality of Trancoso, which acquired it in 2014.

What will it become? The museum of the town of Trancoso.

Where is Trancoso? In the Guarda district of central Portugal, in the Beira Alta region, and it is one of the towns associated with the Aldeias Históricas.