Palace of São João Novo, Manor house in Porto, Portugal
The Palácio de São João Novo is a baroque manor house in the Vitória neighborhood of Porto, built in granite across three floors organized around a central staircase and several large halls. It stands on a rise overlooking the lower city, close to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Ó and the Port Wine Institute.
Construction began in 1727, designed by architect Pedro Costa Lima as a private baroque residence. A western wing was added in the 19th century, giving the building its current shape.
The name São João Novo refers to a church that once stood nearby and gave the whole area its identity. The building's granite facade and its position on a rise above the river still make it a reference point for people walking through this part of the city.
The surrounding streets are steep and uneven, so comfortable shoes are strongly recommended for exploring the area. Several other heritage sites are within walking distance, making it easy to visit more than one in a single outing.
A fire in 1984 destroyed part of the interior, and the repairs that followed changed the layout of several rooms and corridors in ways that were never reversed. Visitors today can notice how certain passages and spaces feel different from the older parts of the building.
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