São Bento Mansion, Official residence and mansion in Estrela, Portugal
São Bento Mansion is a three-story building in neoclassical style located within the grounds of São Bento Palace. A monumental staircase connects it to the adjacent parliament gardens and creates a unified complex.
The building was constructed in 1877 by businessman Joaquim Machado Cayres as a private residence. The government acquired it in 1928 and converted it into the official residence for Portuguese prime ministers.
The gardens display works by Portuguese artists including Leopoldo de Almeida and Vhils, with pieces that reference the Carnation Revolution. These artworks are scattered throughout the grounds and serve as meeting points for visitors exploring the landscape.
The gardens are free to visit on Sundays, with access through the entrance at Rua da Imprensa à Estrela. Official events may occasionally close parts of the grounds to the public.
The residence was retrofitted in 2007 with wind turbines and solar panels to reduce its energy consumption. These systems made it one of the early official residences in Europe to adopt such renewable technologies.
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