“Mitra” means the liturgical headdress worn by bishops. It also described the estate used to sustain clergy. Therefore we are standing before the Palácio da Mitra. This jewel of Portuguese Baroque architecture developed from a courtyard. It has two floors and an upper garden.
The Palácio da Mitra’s history is long and fascinating. D. Tomás de Almeida the first Cardinal-Patriarch of Lisbon built it in the 18th century. It stands on a former recreational estate. The Palácio da Mitra has served many purposes. It was once a patriarchal residence. Later it was used privately. Eventually it became public property.
The Lisbon City Council acquired it in 1930. From 1940 to 1972 the Museu de Lisboa was located here. From 1978 onwards it had sporadic uses. For instance the Institution Friends of Lisbon used it sometimes. So did ANAFRE. It became a monument of public interest in 2012.
The Palácio da Mitra maintains a traditional design. The lateral facade entrance opens onto a reception courtyard. High walls surround it. The entrance wall features a beautiful gate. It is topped with Cardinal D. Tomás de Almeida’s coat of arms. This gives the ensemble a strong Baroque feel.
The Palácio da Mitra’s royal staircases are impressive. They consist of two symmetrical flights. A second central flight accesses the main floor’s entrance landing. Blue and white Baroque tiles decorate the staircases. These tiles extend throughout the main floor adding aesthetic quality.
Today the Palácio da Mitra is part of the city fabric. It is within a plot of land. It is part of a complex that was once a country residence. This residence belonged to the Archbishops of Lisbon. The noble building and part of the formal garden remain.
The Palácio da Mitra is located in Marvila parish. It is between Rua do Açúcar and Beco da Mitra. The plot is L-shaped. It includes a reception courtyard the palace and the garden. There are currently two entrances to the reception courtyard. The original entrance connects to Rua do Açúcar. In the past the residence had a private port on the Tagus River.
The Palácio da Mitra’s building is a regular rectangular prism. It has two floors. The ground floor is elevated above the reception courtyard. Access is via an external staircase which continues inside. The first floor is the main floor. It connects directly to the terraced garden to the north. The roof has four slopes. The palace sits on two levels. One is the reception courtyard. The other is the terraced garden. This is elevated above Rua do Açúcar. A balustraded balcony faces the street. It connects directly to the state rooms north of the palace on the first floor.
The Palácio da Mitra’s west facade faces the walled courtyard. A large gate is at the center. A quadrangular structure with a viewpoint is in the southwest corner. This connects to a high wall. The wall runs the length of the courtyard on the south side. It is topped by a walkway with iron railings. Opposite the wall is a low wall with built-in benches.