Could this be Venice? Look closely at the unique facade before you. This is the Casa dos Bicos or House of Spikes. It is a historical house in Lisbon’s Alfama neighborhood.
Casa dos Bicos has a curious facade of spikes. It was influenced by Italian Renaissance palaces. You can also see Portuguese Manueline styles.
The Casa dos Bicos survived the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. This earthquake destroyed much of the city. Over time it was abandoned as a residence. Later it was used as a warehouse. After a 20th-century renovation it became the headquarters of the José Saramago Foundation. It is also a location of the Museum of Lisbon.
Afonso de Albuquerque had buildings in this area as of 1506. In 1521 his son Brás de Albuquerque traveled to Italy. He observed new trends in Renaissance architecture. He was influenced by palaces like the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara. Its facade is made of diamond-shaped pyramids.
Between 1521 and 1523 Albuquerque returned to Portugal. He began work on this Casa dos Diamantes. He incorporated Manueline windows and portals. Albuquerque died in 1581.
Between 1620 and 1642 the house passed to João Afonso de Albuquerque. His heirs owned the building when the 1755 Lisbon earthquake struck. The earthquake caused significant damage. It destroyed the principal facade facing Rua Afonso de Albuquerque. It also destroyed two floors along the Rua dos Bacalhoeiros.
By 1772 the Casa dos Bicos was partially reconstructed. In 1827 Francisco Menezes e Albuquerque sold the house at public auction due to debts. Caetano Lopes da Silva a fishmonger bought it. In 1838 the residence was returned to the Melo e Albuquerque family. In 1873 the last Senhor of Albuquerque sold the building to another fishmonger. This fishmonger used the building as a warehouse for salted codfish.
The municipal council of Lisbon acquired the Casa dos Bicos in the 1960s. The council commissioned an architect to adapt it for use as a museum. The project was unrealized. In 1982 the commissioner for the 18th European Art commissioned António Marques Miguel to restore the spaces for the event.
Archaeologists began excavations. They revealed remains from the Roman and Moorish periods. The two floors destroyed during the earthquake were restored. The restoration used pre-1755 drawings and paintings. These included a Renaissance loggia and Manueline-style windows.
Following the public works the Casa dos Bicos became part of the European Art Science and Cultural Exposition. It exhibited paintings of the Avis dynastic family.
In June 2012 the Casa dos Bicos became the head office of the José Saramago Foundation. The foundation opened an exhibition about the life and works of José Saramago.
The Casa dos Bicos is a rectangular building of four floors. The principal facade is decorated with diamond-shaped protrusions. The floors are marked by frames. The interior has been altered from its early conceptions. It includes a marble staircase and black walls.
The Casa dos Bicos stands as a testament to Lisbon’s resilience. It is a blend of architectural styles and a center for culture and history. Don’t miss the olive tree where Saramago’s ashes were spread a tribute to the writer’s love for Lisbon.