Palácio dos Marqueses de Ficalho

Palácio dos Marqueses de Ficalho
Now classified as a national monument, Palácio dos Marqueses de Ficalho (or simply "Castle House") marks the profile of the "White Town".

Built near the fortified walls during the 17th century, it stands imponent and severe, presenting an unique archiectural style.

The austere and unornamented exterior has symmetrical front windows and towers; one of these lodged the bishop Martim Afonso de Mello, whose family always owned the building.

A vast staircase leads to several rooms, with semi-circular vaults and painted tiles decorating the whitewashed walls.

The most interesting halls are those of the Halberdiers and of the Spanish, with valuable paitings portaying the favourite sport of 17th-century noble families: hunting.

Next to the palace, the gardens and the aqueduct frame the imponent building.