This sumptuous palace is located in the parish of Pinheiros, 6
kilometres from Monção. It is a good example of the aristocratic houses
in Portugal. It is surrounded by green woods and enchanting gardens with
magnolias and camellias. It was built by Luís Pereira Velho de Moscoso
and took 28 years to complete.
It is Neo-Classical, has 4 façades with towers at each corner. The rooms
are luxurious with valuable paintings and frescoes and is well
decorated. There is a splendid chapel. In the past the house was the
centre of a vast estate. Today the large area is used to cultivate
grapes for the Alvarinho wine. It is one of the most prestigious of the
Portuguese green wines of the region. It also produces an "aguardente
bagaceira" (brandy).
It was in this palace that in 1950 Oliveira Salazar met with General
Franco, the Head of the Spanish Government. Permission by previous
arrangement is needed to visit this magnificent manor house.
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