- Palace Hotel of Bussaco
The Palace Hotel of Bussaco (Portuguese: "Palácio Hotel do Buçaco"), is a luxury hotel located in the mountain range of
Serra do Bussaco , in the municipality ofMealhada , in centralPortugal .History
The area around the Buçaco Palace was part of a Discalced Carmelite convent established in 1628. The monks not only built a convent but also created a luxurious garden with many species of trees. The garden was supposed to represent
Mount Carmel (where the order was founded) and theEarthly Paradise . Date from the late 17th century a series of chapels with representations of a "Via Crucis " in the garden. Part of the convent, including the church withBaroque altarpieces, is still preserved beside the palace.The carmelites left Buçaco in the mid-1800s, as the religious orders were dissolved in Portugal. Late in the century there were plans to turn the ancient convent into a royal residence for Queen Maria Pia, wife of King Luís I. However, difficult political circumstances soon led to the decision to turn the palace into a hotel.
The Palace Hotel of Bussaco was built between 1888 and 1907. The first architect was the Italian
Luigi Manini , who designed a Romantic palace inNeo-Manueline style, evoking the 16th-century architectural style that characterised the peak of the PortugueseAge of Discovery . The Bussaco Palace is inspired in iconicManueline buildings like theJerónimos Monastery and theBelém Tower , both located inLisbon .Manini was succeded by Nicola Bigaglia, José Alexandre Soares and Manuel Joaquim Norte Júnior, the latter responsible for the annex "Casa dos Brasões" (House of the Coat-of-Arms). The inner rooms are richly decorated with Neo-Manueline portals and stucco work imitating Manueline
rib vault ing, being also an important showcase of Portuguese painting and sculpture of the early 20th century. The inner walls are also decorated withtile ("azulejo ") panels byJorge Colaço . These panels depict scenes taken fromPortuguese literature as well as historical events like theBattle of Bussaco .References
* [http://www.ippar.pt/pls/dippar/pat_pesq_detalhe?code_pass=74851 Palace Hotel of Bussaco in the IPPAR website]
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