Condes de Castro Guimarães Palace

Condes de Castro Guimarães Palace is a Neo-Manueline structure in Cascais set near the Atlantic coastline, marked by its irregular shape across multiple levels. Its facade displays ornately designed windows, carved gargoyles, and projecting eaves in keeping with this architectural style, while covered porches face the ocean.

The original structure was built in 1900 by Jorge O'Neill as Torre de São Sebastião, a private seaside residence. Count Manuel de Castro Guimarães purchased it in 1910 and transformed its character, eventually leaving it as a cultural legacy.

The residence takes its name from Count Manuel de Castro Guimarães, who acquired it in the early 1900s and made it his family home. Visitors walk through rooms that reflect how the family lived, from the sitting areas to personal objects scattered throughout the space.

The building sits on Avenida Rei Humberto II de Itália in Cascais and is easily reached from the coastal road. Visitors should know that rooms spread across multiple floors and the grounds adjoin the ocean, so comfortable shoes and a jacket depending on the season are recommended.

The palace holds a rare manuscript from 1505, the Chronicle of King Afonso Henriques, whose opening is adorned with delicate miniature paintings by António d'Ollanda. This handwritten work displays the skilled manuscript painting of that era and stands as one of the collection's most treasured pieces.