Palacete of the Visconts of Balsemão

Palacete dos Viscondes de Balsemão is a three-story building with granite facades, large windows, and decorative stone details arranged across its face. A distinctive triangular tower rises from the roof, giving the structure a memorable shape.

The building was constructed in the mid-1700s by a wealthy nobleman. It later came under the control of the Balsemão family through marriage, and the family's name became permanently attached to the property.

The palace interior reflects the tastes and daily life of the aristocratic families who lived here over time. You can walk through rooms that show how wealthy residents decorated and used their private spaces.

The building is located at Praça Carlos Alberto in Porto and today houses cultural exhibitions on the ground floor accessible to the public. The interior staircase is broad and easy to navigate between the different levels.

Between 1834 and 1837, a military conflict raged across Portugal, and the building briefly housed an educational academy instead of serving residential purposes. This unexpected chapter in the palace's past shows how it adapted to serve the city's needs during turbulent times.

Location: Cedofeita, Santo Ildefonso, Sé, Miragaia, São Nicolau e Vitória

Website: https://cm-porto.pt/cultura/museus-e-arquivos/palacete-dos-viscondes-de-balsemao

GPS coordinates: 41.14898,-8.61540

Latest update: December 14, 2025 11:05