House of Abrantes
Encyclopedia
The House of Abrantes was a Portuguese aristocratic house with origins in the Almeida
family, high-Mayors
of the city Abrantes
, which the honours and the estates were successively inherited by the Sá
family, Counts of Penaguião
and, finally, by the Lencastre family, Counts of Vila Nova
.
Presently, this House belongs to the Lencastre e Távora branch.
granted to D. Lopo de Almeida (who descended through an ilegitimous line from king Pedro I of Portugal) the title of Count of Abrantes
, extinct when the 4th Count of Abrantes, D. Miguel de Almeida (an Restoration
hero) died without issue.
When the Counts of Abrantes’ heir, Isabel de Mendonça, married João Rodrigues de Sá, 1st Count of Penaguião
, the Counts of Abrantes representation passed to the Sá family.
, which was replaced, in 1718, by Marquis of Abrantes
– by king John V’s will, the prestigious designation of Abrantes was restored in this House, now with the rank of Marquis.
(in their life) once they were the Queen of Portugal Maid of Honour (in Portuguese Camareiras-Môr), the highest palatine position for a lady:
(who descended from infante George of Lencastre
, 2nd Duke of Coimbra
).
The marriage of the Lencastre heir, Isabel de Lencastre e Menezes, to Manuel Rafael de Távora, originated the Lencastre e Távora (or Lancastre e Távora) branch which, in present days, represents this nobility House: José Maria da Piedade de Lencastre e Távora (born in 1960) claims, among others, the title of 11th Marquis of Abrantes.
, is the result of a large historical and architectural evolution.
The name 'Santos' refers to the three Christian martyrs executed on the top of that hill and, in 589, when the Visigoth king Reccared I converted to Christianity, a temple was built there to remember the three saints, which was later destroyed. Following the conquest of Lisbon
, king Afonso I of Portugal
rebuilt the church, and gave it to the Order of Santiago
, which additionally, built there its headquarters.
When the knights left to the reconquista
, on the south, the building was changed to a nobility ladies convent (the Comendadeiras). In 1490 they also abandoned the place to a new convent, and this building took the name of Santos-o-Velho (meaning literally in Portuguese, the old Santos).
In 1497, under king Manuel I of Portugal
, the building was transformed into a royal residence, due to its unique localization facing the Tagus
river, between the centre of Lisbon and the new area of Belém, and it was frequently used by kings Manuel I, John III and Sebastian. There, in 1510, Gil Vicente
presented some of his plays (in Portuguese Autos) and also from there king Sebastian of Portugal
left to the Alcácer Kibir
unfortunate expedition.
Following Alcácer Kibir
the palace was abandoned and, in 1629 it was acquired by Francisco Luís de Lencastre, 3rd high-Commendator (in Portuguese Comendador-Môr) of the Order of Aviz
, a descendant of infante George of Lencastre
(king John II
natural son), and it was kept in the family for 300 years. Meanwhile, the family also inherited the title of Marquis of Abrantes
.
We do not know how big were the damages made by the 1755 earthquake
to the palace, but we know that several relatives took shelter there.
In the beginning of the 19th century the palace is restored and the façade was rebuilt, which gave a bigger dignity to the building. In 1833, the infanta Ana de Jesus Maria
and her husband, the 1st Duke of Loulé
, rented part of the palace. The same happened when Amélie de Beauharnais (widow of Pedro I of Brazil) lived there between 1841 and 1849.
Following the 8th Marquis death in 1870, the palace was rented to Count Armand, French Minister in Lisbon, who installed there the legation services. The French government, finally, acquire the building in 1909.
The rooms, are decorated with paintings and tiles, with an excellent furniture collection, dated from the 17th and 18th centuries, with special reference to the pyramidal roof room, totally covered with porcelains, and the chapel tiles, dated from the 16th century.
From the gardens, you have a wonderful view over the Tagus. Visitors are welcome according to the embassy of France availability, which usually opens some rooms to public visits on the Museums day (18 May).
Almeida
Almeida is a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 518 km2 and a total population of 7,784 inhabitants. Located in Riba-Côa river valley, Almeida is an historic town in Beira Interior....
family, high-Mayors
Mayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
of the city Abrantes
Abrantes
Abrantes is a municipality in Portugal, with a population of 41,560 inhabitants, located on the southern margin of the Tagus River.-History:...
, which the honours and the estates were successively inherited by the Sá
Sá
Sá is a Portuguese surname, thought to be derived from the Germanic word Saal meaning "large room" or "hall", which later in Portugal came to acquire the meaning of address or lodging, becoming a habitational name.It may refer to:-People:*Alfredo de Sá Cardoso, Portuguese politician and Prime...
family, Counts of Penaguião
Count of Penaguião
Count of Penaguião was a Portuguese title of nobility, granted by a decree issued by King Philip I of Portugal, on 10 February 1583, to Dom João Rodrigues de Sá....
and, finally, by the Lencastre family, Counts of Vila Nova
Count of Vila Nova de Portimão
Count of Vila Nova de Portimão was a Portuguese title of nobility granted in 28 May 1504, by King Manuel I of Portugal to D...
.
Presently, this House belongs to the Lencastre e Távora branch.
The Counts of Abrantes
In 1476, king Afonso V of PortugalAfonso V of Portugal
Afonso V KG , called the African , was the twelfth King of Portugal and the Algarves. His sobriquet refers to his conquests in Northern Africa.-Early life:...
granted to D. Lopo de Almeida (who descended through an ilegitimous line from king Pedro I of Portugal) the title of Count of Abrantes
Count of Abrantes
Count of Abrantes was a Portuguese title of nobility created by a royal decree, dated from June 13, 1476, by King Afonso V of Portugal, and granted to his 4th cousin, Lopo de Almeida....
, extinct when the 4th Count of Abrantes, D. Miguel de Almeida (an Restoration
Portuguese Restoration War
Portuguese Restoration War was the name given by nineteenth-century 'romantic' historians to the war between Portugal and Spain that began with the Portuguese revolution of 1640 and ended with the Treaty of Lisbon . The revolution of 1640 ended the sixty-year period of dual monarchy in Portugal...
hero) died without issue.
When the Counts of Abrantes’ heir, Isabel de Mendonça, married João Rodrigues de Sá, 1st Count of Penaguião
Count of Penaguião
Count of Penaguião was a Portuguese title of nobility, granted by a decree issued by King Philip I of Portugal, on 10 February 1583, to Dom João Rodrigues de Sá....
, the Counts of Abrantes representation passed to the Sá family.
The Marchesses of Abrantes
In 1659 king Afonso VI granted to Francisco de Sá e Menezes (1640–1677), 4th Count of Penaguião, the new title of 1st Marquis of FontesMarquis of Fontes
Marquis of Fontes was a Portuguese title of nobility, granted by a decree issued by King Afonso VI of Portugal on 2 January 1659, to D...
, which was replaced, in 1718, by Marquis of Abrantes
Marquis of Abrantes
Marquis of Abrantes was a Portuguese title of nobility, granted by a decree issued by King John V of Portugal on 24 June 1718, to Rodrigo Anes de Sá Almeida e Menezes, 3rd Marquis of Fontes and 7th Count of Penaguião....
– by king John V’s will, the prestigious designation of Abrantes was restored in this House, now with the rank of Marquis.
The Duchesses of Abrantes
For two times, and in exceptional occasions, it was granted to two Marchionesses of Abrantes the title of Duchesses of AbrantesDuke of Abrantes
Duke of Abrantes was an aristocratic title granted on three separate occasions and it refers to the Portuguese city of Abrantes , located on the Ribatejo province.-1642: The Dukes of Abrantes :...
(in their life) once they were the Queen of Portugal Maid of Honour (in Portuguese Camareiras-Môr), the highest palatine position for a lady:
- in 1753, king Joseph I of Portugal granted to the 3rd marchioness of Abrantes, Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de LorenaAna Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 1st Duchess of AbrantesDona Ana Maria de Lorena was a Portuguese noblewoman. The eldest daughter of Rodrigo Anes de Sá Almeida e Menezes, 1st Marquis of Abrantes and 7th Count of Penaguião, she adopted the patronymic "de Lorena" after a maternal great-grandfather, François Louis de Lorraine.By a decree of king Joseph I...
, as 1st Duchess; and - in 1757, the same occurred to her daughter, Maria Margarida de LorenaMaria Margarida de Lorena, 2nd Duchess of AbrantesAna Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena was the daughter of Rodrigo de Melo , second child of Nuno Álvares Pereira de Melo, 1st Duke of Cadaval, and of Ana Maria Catarina Henriqueta de Lorena, 1st Duchess of Abrantes....
, 4th marchioness of Abrantes, who became 2nd Duchess.
The Lancastre and the 'Lancastre e Távora' branch
When the 2nd Duchess and 4th Marchioness of Abrantes died without issue, the House of Abrantes was inherited by the Lencastre family, Counts of Vila Nova de PortimãoCount of Vila Nova de Portimão
Count of Vila Nova de Portimão was a Portuguese title of nobility granted in 28 May 1504, by King Manuel I of Portugal to D...
(who descended from infante George of Lencastre
George, Duke of Coimbra
Jorge de Lencastre was a Portuguese Prince, illegitimate son of King John II of Portugal and Ana de Mendonça, a maid of Joanna la Beltraneja. He became the second Duke of Coimbra in 1509...
, 2nd Duke of Coimbra
Duke of Coimbra
Duke of Coimbra was an aristocratic Portuguese title with the level of Royal Dukedom, that is, associated with the Portuguese Royal House, created in 1415, by King John I of Portugal to the his 2nd. male son, Infante Pedro...
).
The marriage of the Lencastre heir, Isabel de Lencastre e Menezes, to Manuel Rafael de Távora, originated the Lencastre e Távora (or Lancastre e Távora) branch which, in present days, represents this nobility House: José Maria da Piedade de Lencastre e Távora (born in 1960) claims, among others, the title of 11th Marquis of Abrantes.
Titles used by members of the House of Abrantes
- Count of Abrantes - granted by king Afonso V in 1476, extinct in 1650 when the 4th count died without issue;
- Count of Vila Nova de Portimão - granted by king Manuel I in 1504;
- Count of Matosinhos e São João da Foz - granted by the cardinal-king Henry I in 1580;
- Count of Penaguião - granted by king Philip I in 1583;
- Marquis of Fontes - granted by king Afonso VI in 1659 and replaced in 1718;
- Marquis of Abrantes - granted by king John V in 1718;
- Duke of Abrantes - granted by king Joseph I in 1753, extincted in 1780 when the 2nd Duchess died.
The Palace of Santos
The Palace of Santos, or Palace of the Marquesses of Abrantes, where presently is located the French embassy in LisbonLisbon
Lisbon is the capital city and largest city of Portugal with a population of 545,245 within its administrative limits on a land area of . The urban area of Lisbon extends beyond the administrative city limits with a population of 3 million on an area of , making it the 9th most populous urban...
, is the result of a large historical and architectural evolution.
The name 'Santos' refers to the three Christian martyrs executed on the top of that hill and, in 589, when the Visigoth king Reccared I converted to Christianity, a temple was built there to remember the three saints, which was later destroyed. Following the conquest of Lisbon
Siege of Lisbon
The Siege of Lisbon, from July 1 to October 25, 1147, was the military action that brought the city of Lisbon under definitive Portuguese control and expelled its Moorish overlords. The Siege of Lisbon was one of the few Christian victories of the Second Crusade—it was "the only success of the...
, king Afonso I of Portugal
Afonso I of Portugal
Afonso I or Dom Afonso Henriques , more commonly known as Afonso Henriques , nicknamed "the Conqueror" , "the Founder" or "the Great" by the Portuguese, and El-Bortukali and Ibn-Arrik by the Moors whom he fought, was the first King of Portugal...
rebuilt the church, and gave it to the Order of Santiago
Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago was founded in the 12th century, and owes its name to the national patron of Galicia and Spain, Santiago , under whose banner the Christians of Galicia and Asturias began in the 9th century to combat and drive back the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.-History:Santiago de...
, which additionally, built there its headquarters.
When the knights left to the reconquista
Reconquista
The Reconquista was a period of almost 800 years in the Middle Ages during which several Christian kingdoms succeeded in retaking the Muslim-controlled areas of the Iberian Peninsula broadly known as Al-Andalus...
, on the south, the building was changed to a nobility ladies convent (the Comendadeiras). In 1490 they also abandoned the place to a new convent, and this building took the name of Santos-o-Velho (meaning literally in Portuguese, the old Santos).
In 1497, under king Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I of Portugal
Manuel I , the Fortunate , 14th king of Portugal and the Algarves was the son of Infante Ferdinand, Duke of Viseu, , by his wife, Infanta Beatrice of Portugal...
, the building was transformed into a royal residence, due to its unique localization facing the Tagus
Tagus
The Tagus is the longest river on the Iberian Peninsula. It is long, in Spain, along the border between Portugal and Spain and in Portugal, where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Lisbon. It drains an area of . The Tagus is highly utilized for most of its course...
river, between the centre of Lisbon and the new area of Belém, and it was frequently used by kings Manuel I, John III and Sebastian. There, in 1510, Gil Vicente
Gil Vicente
Gil Vicente , called the Trobadour, was a Portuguese playwright and poet who acted in and directed his own plays. Considered the chief dramatist of Portugal he is sometimes called the "Portuguese Plautus,"[3] often referred to as the "Father of Portuguese drama" and as one of Western literature's...
presented some of his plays (in Portuguese Autos) and also from there king Sebastian of Portugal
Sebastian of Portugal
Sebastian "the Desired" was the 16th king of Portugal and the Algarves. He was the son of Prince John of Portugal and his wife, Joan of Spain...
left to the Alcácer Kibir
Battle of Alcácer Quibir
The Battle of Ksar El Kebir, also known as Battle of Three Kings, or "Battle of Oued El Makhazeen" in Morocco, and Battle of Alcácer Quibir in Portugal , was fought in northern Morocco, near the town of Ksar-el-Kebir and Larache, on 4 August 1578...
unfortunate expedition.
Following Alcácer Kibir
Battle of Alcácer Quibir
The Battle of Ksar El Kebir, also known as Battle of Three Kings, or "Battle of Oued El Makhazeen" in Morocco, and Battle of Alcácer Quibir in Portugal , was fought in northern Morocco, near the town of Ksar-el-Kebir and Larache, on 4 August 1578...
the palace was abandoned and, in 1629 it was acquired by Francisco Luís de Lencastre, 3rd high-Commendator (in Portuguese Comendador-Môr) of the Order of Aviz
Order of Aviz
The Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1910 Royal Military Order of Aviz , previously to 1789 Order of Saint Benedict of Aviz , previously Knights of St. Benedict of Aviz or Friars of Santa Maria of Évora, is a Portuguese Order of Chivalry...
, a descendant of infante George of Lencastre
George, Duke of Coimbra
Jorge de Lencastre was a Portuguese Prince, illegitimate son of King John II of Portugal and Ana de Mendonça, a maid of Joanna la Beltraneja. He became the second Duke of Coimbra in 1509...
(king John II
John II of Portugal
John II , the Perfect Prince , was the thirteenth king of Portugal and the Algarves...
natural son), and it was kept in the family for 300 years. Meanwhile, the family also inherited the title of Marquis of Abrantes
Marquis of Abrantes
Marquis of Abrantes was a Portuguese title of nobility, granted by a decree issued by King John V of Portugal on 24 June 1718, to Rodrigo Anes de Sá Almeida e Menezes, 3rd Marquis of Fontes and 7th Count of Penaguião....
.
We do not know how big were the damages made by the 1755 earthquake
1755 Lisbon earthquake
The 1755 Lisbon earthquake, also known as the Great Lisbon Earthquake, was a megathrust earthquake that took place on Saturday 1 November 1755, at around 9:40 in the morning. The earthquake was followed by fires and a tsunami, which almost totally destroyed Lisbon in the Kingdom of Portugal, and...
to the palace, but we know that several relatives took shelter there.
In the beginning of the 19th century the palace is restored and the façade was rebuilt, which gave a bigger dignity to the building. In 1833, the infanta Ana de Jesus Maria
Infanta Ana de Jesus Maria, Duchess of Loulé
Infanta Dona Ana de Jesus Maria of Portugal was a Portuguese infanta and youngest daughter of King John VI of Portugal and his wife Carlota Joaquina of Borbón....
and her husband, the 1st Duke of Loulé
Duke of Loulé
Duke of Loulé is a Portuguese title that was originally granted to the family of Moura Barreto.The dukedom was created by a royal decree of King Luis I of Portugal, dated from October 3, 1862, to his grand-uncle Nuno José Severo de Mendoça Rolim de Moura Barreto, 2nd Marquis of Loulé and 9th Count...
, rented part of the palace. The same happened when Amélie de Beauharnais (widow of Pedro I of Brazil) lived there between 1841 and 1849.
Following the 8th Marquis death in 1870, the palace was rented to Count Armand, French Minister in Lisbon, who installed there the legation services. The French government, finally, acquire the building in 1909.
The rooms, are decorated with paintings and tiles, with an excellent furniture collection, dated from the 17th and 18th centuries, with special reference to the pyramidal roof room, totally covered with porcelains, and the chapel tiles, dated from the 16th century.
From the gardens, you have a wonderful view over the Tagus. Visitors are welcome according to the embassy of France availability, which usually opens some rooms to public visits on the Museums day (18 May).