Quinta de Valflores, Renaissance palace in Santa Iria de Azoia, Portugal.
Quinta de Valflores is a Renaissance palace in Santa Iria de Azoia with two stories and barrel-vaulted storage areas on the ground level. The upper residential floors are supported by ten arched galleries with Tuscan columns, creating a distinctive Italian architectural style.
Jorge de Barros, a merchant working for King João III in Flanders, built this palace in 1537 using wealth he gained from trade. The residence was constructed when Portugal was prosperous and absorbing Italian Renaissance influences from across Europe.
The palace earned its nickname Palace of Pumpkins because local farmers used its balconies to dry their pumpkin harvests over time. This practice became deeply connected to how people lived and worked at this location.
This property is located in São João da Talha and has undergone structural reinforcement work to ensure its preservation. Visitors should plan ahead since historic sites like this often have limited access times and it is helpful to check visiting conditions beforehand.
The structure displays Italian Renaissance features including crenellated towers and window frames dating to the 1500s. This combination of period design elements sets it apart from other palaces found in the surrounding region.
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