PALÁCIO BICHINHO DE CONTA A LISBON TALE
If Palรกcio Bichinho de Conta had to be described in one word, what naturally springs to mind is:
UNIQUE
UNIQUE DUE TO ITS CENTRAL LOCATION IN THE MOST COVETED AREA OF LISBON, IN FRONT OF THE PALACE WHERE THE FAMOUS MARQUIS DE POMBAL LIVED.
UNIQUE DUE TO ITS BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OF THE ESTRELA BASILIQUE AND THE 25TH OF APRIL BRIDGE, TWO OF LISBON’S MOST ICONIC MONUMENTS REFLECTING ITS GLORIOUS PAST AND PRESENT.
Unique due to its expansive main garden and patio, each with its own swimming pool, making it a green and cool haven in the heart of the city. Its generous terraces are bathed with Lisbon’s incomparable sunset light. And last but not least, unique due to its name, based on the story of a romantic and determined young woman who dared to oppose the will of the all-powerful Marquis de Pombal.
The District: Príncipe Real / Chiado
LOCATED IN A NARROW STREET LINKING THE TRENDY PRÍNCIPE REAL SQUARE TO THE ELEGANT CHIADO DISTRICT.
PARQUE EDUARDO VII
RATO
ESTRELA
AV. DA LIBERDADE
PRINCIPE REAL RESTAURADORES
BAIRRO ALTO CHIADO
CAIS DO SODRÉ
TAGUS RIVER
BAIXA
RUA DE O SÉCULO: A SPECIAL STREET IN LISBON Connecting the Príncipe Real and Chiado neighbourhoods, Rua de O Século is home to several historical buildings including the magnificent Pombal Palace, where the Marquis de Pombal lived, but also the beautiful convent of the Cardaes and the Palacio Raton, the seat of the Constitutional Court. Formerly named Rua Formosa, the street took the name “O Século” in the 20th century, in reference to one of Lisbon’s main daily newspapers published until 1977, which had established its offices there.
Jardim do Princípe Real Embaixada
PRÍNCIPE REAL
CHIADO
One just needs to walk up the street to enjoy a coffee at one of the two kiosks in the garden of Príncipe Real or, even better, at Bettina Corallo, a true coffee and chocolate temple in Lisbon. You can then continue your promenade shopping in some of the city’s trendiest fashion and design stores, along the Escola Politécnica and Dom Pedro V streets. And then why not take a break at the famous Miradouro of São Pedro de Alcântara to admire the amazing view of the hill of the São Jorge castle and the Tagus River.
If you fancy a more traditional and elegant atmosphere, just head down the street and take the Calçada do Combro to get to Luís de Camões Square. Shop in some of Rua Garret’s high-end stores and enjoy the cultural and gastronomic life around the São Carlos theatre (two Michelin starred restaurants). From there you can walk down to Baixa or Cais Sodré, two other vibrant areas of Lisbon.
Or take a stroll through the beautiful Jardim Botânico, a true peace haven in the city centre. The area is also renowned for its many trendy restaurants and its Saturday morning organic market.
Palácio Chiado Rua da Garrett, 1910
A Historic Lisbon Palace
BICHINHO DE CONTA: A MODERN LOVE STORY
Bichinho de Conta is the Portuguese name for the common pillbug, a small insect known for its ability to lock itself into its shell to protect itself from attacks. It is indeed in this palace that the marriage of Dona Isabel Juliana de Sousa Coutinho with the second son of the Marquis de Pombal was celebrated in 1768. The girl refused to sleep with her imposed husband, which earned her the famous nickname“Bichinho de Conta”. After three years, the Marquis finally annulled the marriage and sent the rebellious young woman to a distant convent as punishment. She was released seven years later, when the Marquis was ousted by the new king. Juliana married her young love, Dom Alexandre de Sousa Holstein. Their son Dom Pedro became the first Duke of Palmela.
THIS STORY WAS SO FAMOUS AT THE TIME IN LISBON THAT THE NAME BICHINHO DE CONTA REMAINED LINKED TO THE PALACE EVER SINCE.
RENOVATION OF THE PALACE When its current owners acquired it, the palace had not been inhabited for ten years and was about to collapse. All interior decorations were in an irretrievable state, with the exception of the main entrance staircase which was maintained. The building has therefore been fully reconsolidated from the inside so as to meet current seismic standards. The facades have been entirely stripped and renovated. The roof has been totally rebuilt and the windows are new. Special attention was paid to reviving the original character of the palace through the judicious use of materials (roof tiles, window frames) and techniques (coatings).
THE ENVELOPE IS READY, YOU MAY NOW WRITE YOUR OWN STORY
Inside the Palace, the original structure has been slightly modified to fit to the current owner’s mixed project of a private residence combined with a small luxury hotel. They added modern life features such as a large garage space for 13 cars, elevators, 2 swimming pools and a fitness room. But they deliberately left it widely unfinished to allow the next owners to dream and carry out their own project. As a result, all options remain open.
2500 m² 2000 m² 400 m² 200 m² 2 13
TOTAL BUILT AREA LIVING AREA
MAIN GARDEN OUTDOOR PATIO
SWIMMING POOLS PARKING PLACES
FLOOR 0 MAIN RESIDENCE Main Entrance and Lobby Historical Staircase + Elevator Concierge apartment Garage 13 parking places + Storage B&B Separate Entrance and Lobby Staircase + Elevator Storage + restrooms
FLOOR 1 MAIN RESIDENCE Entrance Hall Living + Dining + Kitchen Garden Suite Garden + Pool B&B 3 Suites Lounge + Breakfast room Patio
FLOOR 2 MAIN RESIDENCE 3 Suites Office space Terrace with garden views B&B 5 Suites Terrace with Pool
FLOOR 3 MAIN RESIDENCE Guest apartment Terrace with river views B&B 2 Suites
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THE STORY CONTINUES….