Architecture
In the 18th century, following the changes raised by the new traditions dictated by the European courts, the Portuguese nobility showed a preference for the summer season, enjoying the summer to spend seasons in their country houses, where they would get relatives and gatherings of companions craving excitement. In order not to fall into “social disregards”, it was important to organize parties, amusements and balls, always having the table set for all the guests.
The country houses in the province, until then only dedicated to agricultural generation, foreordained by a wise administration to the arrangement of assets of a House and of a Family, take on a new function for which, generally, were not prepared. It was, therefore, necessary to (re) build and adapt the old houses, resizing them to the new capacities and obligations, according to the models forced by society.
Along these lines, an intense transformation of the rural landscape and the masterly architecture of the north to the south of the country occurred, with a and phenomenal improvement and design quality accomplished, specifically in the regions of Minho and Beiras. In this context, the rebuilding of the old manor home of the Paes do Amaral Family in Mangualde is included, which dates to the early 17th century.
The architectural design of the Palace of the Counts of Anadia in Mangualde is a magnificent example of the baroque eighteenth century in Portugal. The stupendous complex of the building is the consequence of an undertaking illustrated by an insightful engineer, who as per Hélder Carita, is ascribed to the Coimbra draftsman Gaspar Ferreira, creator of the Joanine Library of the University of Coimbra. Through an engraving in the Church of the Mercy of this Village, dated 1724, we can truly affirm that the specified draftsman (who worked there), would fundamentally have reached Simão Paes do Amaral “the nobleman of the king ordered to make this main chapel, at his expense, and endowed it and made most of the expenses of this church“1.
Thus, everything indicates that the work of the Paes do Amaral Palace was begun in the first quarter of the eighteenth century, under the risk and guidance of the said architect, despite the subsequent mediation of others, since the entire set would just be finished on the eve of eight hundred. Although the initiative of its construction is due to Simão Paes do Amaral (6th Count of the House of Mangualde), it is important to record the dedication of his son and his successors in the continuation and finish of the construction of this Palace, being the end-result, the expression of the persevering will of successive generations of the Family of Counts of Anadia over a century.