“How did such a grand estate end up here?” I can almost hear you ask. The story of Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome starts in the 17th century. This agricultural estate with a manor house has quite the past.
Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome was rebuilt in the 18th century. It sits on a site once called Bom Nome. A stream called Rio Seco crossed it. Over time Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome has been known by different names. It was once called Quinta do Sarmento. This was after someone named Sarmento acquired it in the late 18th century. Another name was Quinta das Mercês. This refers to the chapel’s patron saint.
In 1914, Pereira described Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome. He wrote it was in a pleasant spot on Estrada da Correia. It had been known as Bom Nome. The estate had a good house and fertile grounds. He considered it the best in the Carnide area.
The layout of Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome is around a central courtyard. Agricultural buildings are on the south and east sides. The main building is to the west. It has three floors and a mansard roof. The main building was the manor house. The outbuildings stored tools and farm products.
The main entrance to Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome is on Estrada da Correia. It features a gate flanked by barred windows. A high wall tops it. Behind the gate is a courtyard. The manor house and farm buildings surround it.
The main facade of Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome faces Estrada da Correia. Pilasters and quoins define two sections. The main section has fourteen openings. Seven are windows on the ground floor. Seven are balcony windows above. The side section is the chapel. It has a portal and a large window.
Inside Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome you can admire Baroque and Rococo tilework. Blue and white are common colors. Touches of yellow, green, and manganese-purple may appear. Corridors feature polychrome floral patterns. Marbleized frames surround them. The halls on the main floor have hunting and rural scenes. Intricate shell motifs frame them. The kitchen is covered in naturalistic tiles. They alternate star and flower designs. The staircase to the main floor features scenes of singeries. These depict monkeys. Symbols of nature’s abundance are also present.
Some agricultural structures still stand at Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome. These include dwellings and storage areas. There are also warehouses. You can also see a well with a waterwheel. A section of wall with a barred window remains.
Notable residents of Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome include Canon José Caetano Mesquita de Quadros. He lived here in the late 18th century. Manuel Sarmento, the 2nd Viscount of Balsemão, lived here in the early 19th century. Later, the Instituto Luso-Belga and Colégio Fialho de Almeida occupied the estate. It also served as Casa de Repouso e Reabilitação da Luz. Some buildings were used as auto repair shops. The Teotónio Pereira family lived on the ground floor from 1963 to 1998. Later, the Instituto Superior de Línguas e Administração acquired it. It is now the Universidade Europeia. Casa da Quinta do Bom Nome now serves as the University. Preserving its rich heritage for future generations.