Historical Heritage

The FCB ensures the preservation of a significant number of buildings, many of which are classified as national monuments.

The most famous and important is the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa, a majestic example of civil architecture that is integrated into a quadrangular square, which includes:

Agostinhos Church
Pantheon of the Dukes

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Chagas Church
Pantheon of the Duchesses;

Chagas Convent
Which now houses the King João IV Pousada

The Chagas Convent currently houses the King João IV Pousada boutique hotel, which by means of a protocol signed with Enatur, ensured its restoration and the conservation of the monument.

Bishop’ Palace
where the Archive of the House of Bragança is located.

The 5 castles that it possesses are witness to the scale of the military might of the duchy of Bragança in the organisation of the kingdom, particularly to the South: Alter do Chão, Alvito, Ourém, Portel and Vila Viçosa.

Vila Viçosa Castle

Little remains of the initial structure of the fortress, which has undergone countless subsequent renovations.

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Alter do Chão Castle

King Pedro I granted a new charter and the Castle to this Alentejo village. It was donated to Nuno Álvares Pereira by King Fernando I, in 1373, a donation honoured by King João I, in 1390, subsequently entering into the estate of the House of Bragança based on inheritance. During the 19th century and the first half of the 20th century, the ownership of the Castle changed hands several times, reaching an advanced state of dilapidation.
Acquired by the Foundation in 1955, restoration works were carried out in partnership with the Portuguese Directorate General for National Buildings and Monuments.

Alvito Castle

Construction was started in 1494 by Diogo Lobo, 2nd Baron of Alvito, under the orders of King João II, and completed “in the time of King Manuel I”. In 1897, the 4th and last Marquis of Alvito, José Lobo da Silveira Quaresma sold the Castle to King Carlos I. King Manuel II mentions it in his last will and testament, integrating it into the estate which he provides to establish the Fundação da Casa de Bragança.
In 1993, it was opened to the public as a Pousada boutique hotel, managed by Enatur. The Alvito Professional School of Hotel Services currently uses the castle.

Ourém Castle

Known to be in existence at least since the late 12th century, this castle had been the property of several queens of the Afonsina Dynasty when it was donated to Nuno Álvares Pereira by King João I.
In 1422, the Warden of the Kingdom donated all his assets and titles to his grandchildren, sons of the 1st Duke of Bragança.
The great earthquake of 1755 caused considerable damage to the castle, and it also suffered with the French Invasions in 1810.

Portel Castle

João Anes de Aboim obtained authorisation from King Afonso III to build the castle and fortress in 1261.

In 1385, King João I donated the land to Nuno Álvares Pereira, for him and his descendants.
Through which it entered into the lordship of the Ducal House of Bragança.

The FCB is also the custodian of the buildings that are located within the Vila Viçosa Royal Hunting Ground: The Hunting Ground Palace and the Chapels of Nª Senhora de Belém, São Jerónimo and Santo Eustáquio, as well as, in Vendas Novas, the Administration Building, in Quinta do Pessegueiro, and the Hunting Pavilion in Herdade do Vidigal, where there is also a corral for fighting bulls.

The headquarters have been located in the Massarelos Palace, in Caxias, since October 2000.