History Palace of Freixo

a view of juxtoposition of palace , companhia de moagens harmonia



the front facade of recuperated pousadas of portugal hostel



the companhia de moagens harmonia alongside main building



part of 18th century garden, fronting river

the residence order constructed in middle of 18th century, nicolau nasoni, orders of canon jerónimo de távora, man of great wealth, noble family of cernaches.

at end of 18th century, viscounts of azurara purchased residence, after original sale merchant antónio afonso, had constructed alongside building soap factory.

in 1850, palace , estate sold antónio afonso velado, 1866 had received title of baron of freixo. 1870, success had put him in line title of viscount of freixo, resulting in need substitute tavira coat-of-arms on old building , complete renovations. part of changes included large murals on mortar within structure, , attributable period. coat-of-arms of tavora decorated many parts of building, later destroyed marquis of pombal, following attempted regicide of king d. joseph. gardens, nasonian inspiration, divided architectonic alleys of balustrades , small villages of allegorical sculptures, while along river there ran balcony.

in 20th century, industrial purchased building, installing in gardens milling factory, , later 45 metres (148 ft) silo. within palace entrepreneur established administration in building. 1870, tile , ceramics installed in building, ostensibly provisional solution hide damage building.

following 1909 flood, varanda destroyed.

but, in 1947 recuperation of building undertaken, under leadership of occupant companhia de moagens harmonia (harmony milling company), of união fabril. new silo constructed within next few years increase production @ site.

in 1983, decree (344-a/83), determined seop begin acquisition of property: process completed on 30 november 1984, ministério trabalho (ministry of work). limited public tender executed in 1985 complete emergency repairs, on 6 june 1985 there fire. consequence, remain slate floors removed site, , emergency public works begun. recuperation of tile, facades , frameworks, cleaning of gardens , enclosures.

the palace recuperated under terms of project metropólis, government contributed 10 million contos. project, under direction of architect fernando távora, polemic, since envisioned transfer of old installations of fábrica harmonia below palace, reconstructed. project denied local council in january 1998, when architect instructed reformulate plan. other parts of project, included creation of small marina, re-routing of marginal roadway next freixo , construction of new building (to commemorate vasco da gama s trip brazil , provide venue celebrations marking age of discoveries), shelter press museum , other tenants, remained.

in november 2005, approval provided municipality begin installation of hostel in palace , milling buildings. development fell under operation of grupo pestana, under concession of pousadas de portugal. protocol between pestana , municipal council of porto signed in march 2006 establish pousasda histórica model, under projection of david sinclair, included connection of palace historic milling factory. resulting project transformed palace spaces common areas , milling factory bedrooms.

in december 2006, ippar approved conversion project of enatur, in october 2009, official inauguration held freixo palace hotel, championed architect david sinclair , interior designer jaime morais.