Baroque architecture in Portugal

Baroque Architecture

The Baroque architecture in Portugal enjoys a very special situation and a different timeline from the rest of Europe. It is conditioned by several political, artistic and economic factors, that originate several phases, and different kinds of outside influences, resulting in a unique blend, often misunderstood by those looking for Italian art, but with specific forms and character. It starts in a complicated moment, with the financial effort of the kingdom channelled to the war of independence, after 60 years of Spanish rule (Felipe II, III and IV of Spain). Another key factor is the existence of the Jesuitical architecture, also called "plane style" (Estilo Chão). The buildings are single-room basilicas, deep main chapel, lateral chapels (with small doors for communication), without interior and exterior decoration, very simple portal and windows. It is a very practical building, allowing it to be built throughout the empire with minor adjustments, and prepared to be decorated later or when economic resources are available. Actually the first Portuguese Baroque doesn’t lack in building because “plain style” is easy to be transformed, by means of decoration (painting, tiling, etc.), turning empty areas in pompous baroque scenarios. The same could be applied to the exterior. Subsequently, it’s easy to adapt the building to the taste of the time and place. Practical and economical.

The International Baroque

After the end of the restoration of independence war, and past the crisis of succession between D. Afonso VI and D. Pedro III, Portugal was ready for the international Baroque. It starts gradually, changing the Mannerist model, trying to animate and modernise the new buildings, using the centred plant and some decoration, such as in the Church of Santa Engrácia in Lisbon, designed by João Nunes Tinoco and João Antunes. Santa Engrácia is an impressive building, made with curves and geometric forms, a centred plant, crowned by a large dome (completed only in the twentieth century), decorated with colourful marbles and imposing itself to the city.

In the reign of King D. João V, the baroque is going through a time of splendour and wealth completely new in Portugal. Despite the destruction wrecked by the 1755 earthquake, the quality of the buildings which have survived to our days is still impressive. The Palácio da Ribeira, the Royal Chapel (both destroyed in the earthquake) and the Mafra National Palace, are the main works of the King. The Águas Livres Aqueduct brings water to Lisbon covering a distance of 11.18 miles, with emphasis on the section over the Alcântara valley because of the monumentality of the imposing arches. However, across the country, are still visible marks of the pomp of the time in major or small works. The guilded woodcarving takes national characteristics because of the significance and richness of the decorations. The painting, sculpture, decorative arts and tiling also cross a time of great development.

Mafra National Palace

Mafra National Palace is the most international Portuguese baroque building and, following the fashion among European monarchs, reflects the absolutist architecture, like Versailles in France. It’s a royal palace, a cathedral and a monastery all in the same structure, built after a promise made by the king related to his succession. Designed by Ludovice, a German architect established in Portugal, the work begins in 1717 and ends in 1730. It is a huge building. It has two turrets on the facade, after the destroyed turret in the Palace of Ribeira, with the basilica at the centre and two bell towers dominated by an imposing dome. Behind, although it can’t be seen from the street, is the monastery. The set is visible from the sea, working as a territorial milestone, and used as a summer residence for the court. It is known that the king wanted to build a church even greater than the Vatican, but after knowing that it took more than a century, he changed his mind. In the whole complex noteworthy are also the library, the five organs of the basilica and the two carillons.

Northern Portugal

In the north of Portugal there are numerous baroque buildings. With more inhabitants and better economic resources, the north, particularly the areas of Porto and Braga, witnessed an architectural renewal, visible in the large list of churches, convents and palaces built by the aristocracy. The city of Porto (classified heritage of humanity by UNESCO) is the city of the Baroque. It is the working area of Nicolau Nasoni, an Italian architect living in Portugal, drawing original buildings with scenographic emplacement as the church and tower of Clérigos, the logia of the Cathedral in Porto, the church of Misericórdia, the Palace of São João Novo, the Palace of Freixo, the Episcopal Palace and many others.

ee also

*Mafra National Palace
*Architecture of Portugal
*Águas Livres Aqueduct
*Guilded woodcarving