Perhaps, after all these years, the Palácio do Conde Barão de Linhó still holds secrets. This urban palace stands before you. It is a palace from the 18th century. The Palácio do Conde Barão de Linhó is a Pombaline and Romantic building. It is set back from the street. A courtyard and walled garden surround it. The palace is near the Igreja de Santa Isabel.
Let me tell you about the history of this place. António Borges Coutinho de Medeiros de Sousa Dias da Câmara lived here. He was the first Barão do Linhó. His family owned it for generations. They have kept it until today.
The property includes several buildings. They are arranged along the outer edge of the property. There is a garage and other buildings. These annexes have curved outer facades. They follow the road that borders the property. The main building stands out. It has a U-shaped layout. The roofs have two, three, or four slopes. The walls are painted plaster. Stone frames the corners. The Palácio do Conde Barão de Linhó has three floors.
The main facade faces northwest. It overlooks the road. The windows have simple stone frames. They are evenly spaced. The ground floor has rectangular windows. Above them, on the main floor, are balcony windows. Each has a small stone balcony. Wrought and cast iron railings protect them. The central window is different. It has a curved top. It also has a unique balcony. A cornice tops the facade. Above it are dormer windows. They line up with the top floor.
You can enter the property through a gate. Stone pillars mark the entrance. They have decorative pinnacles. The pillars connect to a wall. The main entrance to the building is on the northeast side. A porch covers this entrance. Volute corbels support the roof. The porch faces an entrance courtyard.
Look closely at the northeast facade of the Palácio do Conde Barão de Linhó. You can spot the family’s coat of arms. The coat of arms is quartered. The first quarter displays the Sequeiras family. It shows five scallops. The second and third quarters display the Pegado family. It shows four bands. The fourth quarter displays the Freires family. A helmet sits above the shield. A two-headed eagle is the crest.
In the 1920s, rumors spread about this noble house. People whispered about spirits. It gained a reputation for being haunted. People called it the “Casa dos Fantasmas” or the House of Ghosts. This reputation inspired stories and novels.
Norberto de Araújo noted that the palace is next to the Escola Machado de Castro. In 1939, the Barão de Linhó, son of the Marquês da Praia, lived here. He was also the brother of the late Duque de Palmela. The coat of arms sits in the corner of the courtyard. It represents the noble history of this place.
So, as you stand here, remember the stories. The Palácio do Conde Barão de Linhó has a rich history. It includes noble families and ghostly tales. It is a piece of Lisbon’s past. A past that continues to intrigue us today.