The Rio Maior Palace in Lisbon: the two «Houses of Anunciada»

Abstract

Based on the rich documentation in the archives of the Marquises of Rio Maior, deposited in Torre do Tombo, we analyse the two buildings that make up the palace on Rua das Portas de Santo Antão in Lisbon, known as the «big houses» and the «small houses» of Anunciada, recently transformed into a luxury hotel. We identify the architects and the various artists and craftsmen who worked on them until the end of the 19th century.
Different circumstances led to the construction of the two buildings by architects of different nationalities and backgrounds. In 1761, an unknown Italian architect, referred to as Romanino, was responsible for designing the «small houses». In 1771, the Public Works architect, Reinaldo Manuel dos Santos, drew up the «big houses». A curious contrast between an Italianate classical building, designed as an income-producing building, and a functional construction, of Pombaline origin, destined for the noble residence of the Rio Maior family.