Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Bragança family, originally from Bragança in Trás-os-Montes, had settled in Vila Viçosa
in the 15th century. After the eighth duke became king in 1640, it changed from a perman-
ent residence to just another royal palace, but the family maintained a special fondness for
it and Dom João IV and his successors continued to visit the palace.
The palace's best furniture went to Lisbon after Dom João IV ascended the throne, and
some went on to Brazil after the royal family fled there in 1807, but there are still some
stunning pieces on display, such as a huge 16th-century Persian rug in the Dukes Hall.
Lots of royal portraits put into context the interesting background on the royal family.
The private apartments hold a ghostly fascination - toiletries, knick-knacks and clothes
of Dom Carlos and his wife, Marie-Amélia, are laid out as if the royal couple were about
to return (Dom Carlos left one morning in 1908 and was assassinated in Lisbon that after-
noon).
A compulsory Portuguese-speaking guide leads the hour-long tours. English guide-
books cost €4.
Other parts of the Ducal Palace, including the 16th-century cloister, house more mu-
seums containing specific collections and with separate admission fees (armoury/coach
collection/Chinese Porcelain/treasury €3/2/2.50/2.50).
Castelo
The fascinating Dom Dinis walled hilltop castle was where the Bragança family lived be-
fore the palace was built. Part of it has been transformed into the
Museu de Arqueologia and
Museu de Caça
( Archaeological Museum and Game & Hunting Museum; admission €3; 2.30-5.30pm Tue,
10am-1pm & 2.30-5.30pm Wed-Sun)
. A visit to these museums is a must - if only as an excuse to
wander through the castle itself, with its 'secret' tunnels, giant fireplaces and wonderful
vaulted ceilings.
The extraordinary (and under-promoted) archaeological collection is housed in the
castle's many rooms and spans various eras from the Palaeolithic to the Roman. It even
has Ancient Egyptian treasures. The less interesting hunting museum is stuffed with guns
and the dukes' animal trophies.
Surrounding the castle is a cluster of village houses and peaceful overgrown gardens.
There's a 16th-century Manueline
pelourinho
(pillory; the prison used to be nearby), with
sculpted frogs.
CASTLE
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
CHURCH
