Paço dos Henriques

Portugal

Paço dos Henriques (Henriques’ Palace), which is now owned by the Portuguese State and has been classified as a Building of Public Interest since 1993, belonged to the last lords of the town of Alcáçovas. According to tradition and local belief, this was once a royal palace, Ordered to be built by the Portuguese king Dom Dinis, in the 14th century.

This is a Place of Peace because it was there that took place the signature of the Alcáçovas-Toledo Treaty (also known as Alcáçovas’s Peace), that ended the Sucession War of Castile (1475-1479), where Afonso V of Portugal renounced the throne of Castile and King Fernando of Castile renounced the throne of Portugal. This Treaty also solved some issues related with the “new lands” discovered in the Atlantic Ocean, dividing them formally between Portugal and Castile.

This explains the reason why this building is so important and emblematic, not only for Alcáçovas’ history, but for Portugal and the rest of the world.

The architectural complex is also composed by the seashells’ garden and seashells’ chapel, places of unique beauty due to the art of “embrechados” (technique of imbricating elements), built in the 17th century. In this case, the elements used are 26 species of seashells, kraak porcelain (Chinese porcelain), Portuguese faience and Murano glass.

Location

Paço dos Henriques is located in the Alentejo region, in the village of Alcáçovas, County of Viana do Alentejo

GPS Coordinates: 38.395297 N 8.154833 W

How to get it

Alcáçovas is one of the towns that belongs to the county of Viana do Alentejo, bounded to the north by the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, to the northeast by Évora, to the east by Portel, to the southeast by Cuba, to the south by Alvito and to the southwest and west by Alcácer do Sal. The Municipality of Viana do Alentejo occupies an area of about 393.67 Km2, 5 743 inhabitants (data of 2011) and subdivided into three parishes (Viana do Alentejo, Aguiar and Alcáçovas).

Road:

From Lisboa – 128 Km (1h41m average time length):

Due to its geographical position within the city of Lisbon, you can choose the 25 de Abril Bridge (A2) or the Vasco da Gama Bridge (A12).

If you opt for the Vasco da Gama Bridge, after about 40 km, you will have to change to A2 (not heading towards Setúbal). A little further ahead (20 km) you have to leave the A2 and take the A6 towards Évora. After 59 km on the A6, take the exit for Évora and follow another 12 km on the N114 until you reach the city. Finally, take the N380 towards the village of Alcáçovas.

From Spain (Badajoz) – 134 Km (1h36m longest travel time):

Follow the A6 for 83 km after the border. At the sign for Évora, you have to leave the Freeway and do the remaining 10 km by the IP2. When you get to Évora take the exit for the N380 toward Alcáçovas.

From North (Porto) – 407 Km (3h43m average time duration):

With the opening of the A13, link between Almeirim and the A2 / A6 junction at Marateca, it is no longer necessary to cross Lisbon to travel from the north of the country to Évora by motorway. In fact, at the exit of the A1 from Santarém you should follow to the IC10 and, later, near Almeirim, to the A13. At the Marateca junction, turn onto the A6 towards Évora and then follow the N380 exit to Alcáçovas.

From South (Algarve/Faro) – 193 Km (2h20m overall duration of travel):

You will have to take the connection between Via do Infante (A22) and A2 towards Lisbon. At A2, near Ourique, take the IP2 / N18 turnoff towards Beja, São Matias (N258), Cuba and Vila Ruiva on the N258. Then follow Alvito, Viana do Alentejo on the N257 to Alcáçovas.

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Visitable spaces

Paço dos Henriques: História e Memória (Henriques’ Palace: History and Memory)

This exhibition is related with the Palace, with an historical approach, since the primitive palace (14th century) until 2016.This exhibition highlights the Peace Treaty, explaining it, illustrating it and showing it off. In this exhibition, the visitant can also learn about royal weddings that occurred here, about the last testament of D. João II, King of Portugal, about Henriques’ family itself, among others subjects.

Exhibition about Manufacture of Cowbells

In 2015, UNESCO inscribed Manufacture of Cowbells on the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding. This traditional form of art has in Alcáçovas an identity expression, because there was a large number of families of cowbell makers in the town. Municipality of Viana do Alentejo was also one of the entities that promoted the application to UNESCO. Due to this importance, Paço dos Henriques has a permanent exhibition related with this secular art. Among others, the visitant can understand the manufacturing process, the use of the cowbells (not only in animals).

Temporary exhibition

The superior floor has, until December 30th 2024, a set of exhibitions related with the April’74 Revolution (which ended the dictatorship in Portugal), with local, national and international approaches.

Photo Gallery

Discover the images that will make you want to return

Useful Information

Opening hours, staff and links

  • Opening timetable

    Summer Time (from April 1st to September 30th) – 10:00am – 1:00pm / 2:00pm – 6:00pm

    Winter Time (from October 1st to March 30th) – 9:30 am – 1:00pm / 2:00pm – 5h30pm

    It’s closed on Mondays.

    It’s also closed on the following days:

    January 1st, 13th; April 25th, May 1st, December 24th, 25th and 31st

  • Site service staff

    Two technicians work permanently in the building and are responsible for Coordinating the architectural complex, Guided visits and Reception of the visitor.

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