At the end of the 19th century a vision began to take shape here at the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real. This wasn’t just any building. It was meant to be a statement. The residence for Artur Porto de Melo e Faro the Count of Monte Real and his wife D. Laura Cardoso Diogo da Silva.
The Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real stands before us a testament to romantic architecture. Its design a blend of neobaroque and neorococo styles. The architect José Luís Monteiro crafted a masterpiece. Its L-shaped layout embraces an inner courtyard.
Look to the south end. Notice the chapel. Its longitudinal design features a nave and chancel. A bell tower rises beside it. The Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real has a grand staircase. It serves as a focal point inside.
Let your eyes wander over the tile work. Azulejos from different eras tell their stories. Observe the boiseries. They adorn ceilings stair railings and window frames. Admire the delicate floral murals.
Imagine the Count and Countess. They oversaw the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real’s creation after 1900. They wanted a home that reflected their status and taste. The palace incorporates tile panels in almost every room. There are lambris with 17th-century polychrome tiles. You can see albarradas scenes azulejos with single figures and baroque monochrome panels with religious scenes in the chapel.
Note the azulejos depicting bucolic scenes. Some show architectural elements. Others feature rocaille frames with diverse themes. Chinoiserie scenes stand out. There are also patterned lambris from the Pombaline period.
Beyond the tiles appreciate the boiseries. They enhance ceilings stair guards and interior windows. Some ceilings feature delicate floral murals as a decorative touch. Outside there are two fountains. One near the chapel’s northeast side. It is covered in 17th-century tiles. The other sits between the patio and terrace. It features a stone design with fish reliefs.
Over the years the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real changed hands and purposes. After the Count’s death in 1945 it remained in the family. By the 1970s the Social Democratic Party had its headquarters here. Later the Higher Council of Public Works and Transport occupied it.
Note how the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real integrates into the Lapa neighborhood. It sits on a sloping hillside. This affects the design. The main facade faces northwest. It features stonework and framed windows. The central axis draws attention with its arched portal. Above it a sculpted window adds detail. The facade ends with a triangular pediment.
Inside the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real the rectangular lobby stands out. It has a wooden ceiling. A grand staircase leads to the upper floor. A corridor connects to a service staircase and the chapel’s high choir. The chapel itself has a single nave.
In this Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real the walls display monochrome azulejo panels. A wooden choir loft sits above the entrance. A triumphal arch separates the nave from the chancel. The chancel features a painted and gilded altarpiece. It has smooth and faceted columns. These support a curved cornice and house a throne.
Today the Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real serves as office space. Its historical significance remains protected. It is part of a special zone including nearby landmarks. As we leave take one last look. The Palacete dos Condes de Monte Real is more than a building. It embodies Lisbon’s rich history and artistic heritage.