Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira

We are standing before one of Portugal's most extraordinary estates, where porcelain from a 17th century feast was ceremonially smashed and pressed into the walls to ensure no one would ever use it again.

This is the Palace of the Marquises of Fronteira, built in 1671 near Monsanto Forest Park as a hunting retreat for Dom João de Mascarenhas. He was a military hero who earned his title of Marquis from King Afonso VI after fighting fiercely for Portugal's independence during the Restoration War against Spain. His loyalty to the Portuguese crown changed his family's destiny forever. What makes this place remarkable is that it holds the largest collection of 17th century azulejos still in their original location. These hand painted tiles cover the palace walls and gardens, telling stories of battles, mythology, and Portuguese history.

The Battle Room displays eight major conflicts from the war that made the Marquis a hero. When the devastating 1755 earthquake destroyed the family's home downtown, they moved here permanently. Over 350 years later, the Mascarenhas descendants still live within these walls. The Kings Gallery showcases busts of every Portuguese monarch, deliberately excluding the three Spanish kings who once ruled Portugal.