Vila Viçosa - Paço Ducal 
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The main attraction, on the way into the town from Borba, is the Paço Ducal, the palace of the Dukes of Bragança. Built in the 16th and 17th centuries on the remains of Moorish, possibly even Roman buildings, for centuries it hosted a brilliant court and was a hub of intellectual life. In 1640 Joao IV was the first of the Dukes of Bragança to ascend the Portuguese throne.
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Must-see attractions nearby:
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There are guided tours round the palace, which is full of objets d'art from the 16th to the 19th C., although the most valuable were taken to the new quarters in Lisbon in the mid 17th C. What remains is quite grand enough painted ceilings and family portraits, 17th C. azulejos, tapestries, porcelain, a well stocked armory and a collection of coaches. The chapel, which has a 16th C. triptych, is particularly worth seeing. The inner courtyard appears to have been modeled on a cloister.
Address:
Paço Ducal, Terreiro do Paço
7160-251 Vila Viçosa, Vila Viçosa , Portugal
7160-251 Vila Viçosa, Vila Viçosa , Portugal
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 9am-1pm, 3pm-5:30pm; Sun: 9am-1pm, 3pm-6pm; Sat: 9am-1pm, 3pm-6pm; Closed: Mon
October 1 to March 31: 9am-1pm, 2:30pm-5pm; Sun: 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm; Sat: 9am-1pm, 2pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Mon
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Anniversity of the Revolution - Portugal (April 25), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), National Day - Portugal (June 10), Assumption Day - Christian (August 15), Republic Day - Portugal (October 5), All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1), Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8), Independence Day - Portugal (December 1), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Good Friday - Christian, Corpus Christi - Christian
Tips: Last admission one hour before closing.
Guides: Guided tour available as optional extra.
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