Palace Valle-Flôr: A Well Preserved Gem

Built in the late 19th century, Palácio Valle-Flôr is situated in a residential area of ​​Alto de Santo Amaro, in Lisbon. The building was commissioned by José Luís Constantino Dias, a Portuguese emigrant who amassed a fortune as a plantation owner in the then-colony of São Tomé and Príncipe. In recognition of his achievements and wealth, he was granted the title of Marquis of Valle-Flôr by King Carlos I (1889–1908). To bring the project to fruition, the entrepreneur acquired the land in 1890, at a time when Lisbon was beginning to expand beyond its historic center. Construction of the palace was initially entrusted to the Italian architect Nicola Bigaglia, who oversaw the project between 1905 and 1906. From 1910 onwards, the work was supervised by the architect José Ferreira da Costa; notable additions during this phase included the construction of new wings and the stables. Several architectural details of the building were designed by the architect Miguel Ventura Terra. In 1992, the palace was acquired by the Pestana Group, which initiated a restoration and conversion project to transform it into a hotel. The renovation was led by the architect Manuel Tainha and included the construction of two new wings dedicated to guest rooms. Housed within the original palace structure today are four Royal Suites, which preserve their period décor—characterized by French influences—featuring marble finishes, ceiling frescoes, and large stained-glass windows. On the exterior, in addition to the gardens and swimming pool, a standout feature is the so-called *Casa do Lago* (Lake House)—a small, Oriental-inspired pavilion that also dates back to the late 19th century.