Castelo de Pirescoxe: A 15th-Century Noble Manor in Loures, Portugal

Visitor Information

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Official Website: www.cm-loures.pt

Country: Portugal

Civilization: Medieval European

Site type: Domestic

Remains: Elite Residence

History

The Castelo de Pirescoxe is located in the municipality of Loures in Portugal and was constructed by Portuguese nobility during the 15th century. It originated as a fortified manor house on the estate of Pirescoxe in Santa Iria de Azoia, reflecting the domestic architecture of the late medieval period in Portugal.

The earliest phase dates to 1442 when Nuno Vasques de Castelo Branco and his wife Joana Juzarte transformed a family farm into a morgadio, a type of entailed estate meant to preserve the property within a lineage. This establishment included building the manor that, while appearing castle-like, served primarily as a noble residence rather than a military fortress.

During the 17th century, the estate saw interior renovations under D. Pedro de Castelo Branco da Cunha, who lived between 1620 and 1675. He held noble titles granted by kings João IV and Afonso VI of Portugal, indicating the manor’s continued importance within the aristocracy. However, after the extinction of the Castelo Branco family line with the death of the last owner, the residence was abandoned and gradually fell into ruin.

In the 20th century, specifically on December 5, 1961, the manor was officially recognized by the Portuguese government as a Property of Public Interest, reflecting its cultural and historical value. Later efforts to preserve and revitalize the site were launched in 2001 by the Loures Municipal Council and IPPAR (Institute for the Protection of Architectural and Archaeological Heritage), led by architect Francisco da Silva Dias and archaeologist Raquel Silva. These initiatives aimed to stabilize the remains and promote cultural activities.

Local tradition adds a layer of intrigue with stories that the treasure of King D. Sebastião, who reigned from 1557 to 1578 and died in the Battle of Alcácer Quibir, is hidden within the castle’s cellars. This legend is supported by a historian’s note that a former owner of the manor had accompanied the king during that ill-fated battle, linking the manor to the mystical lore surrounding the lost monarch.

Remains

The Castelo de Pirescoxe stands on a hill overlooking the Tagus River and features a compact square plan reminiscent of a small fortress. Despite its fortified appearance, the structure functioned as a noble residence and was built using traditional masonry techniques common in the 15th century.

Encircling the manor is a low defensive wall topped with battlements, designed more for prestige than active defense. This wall is interrupted by three square towers of unequal spacing, each two stories high and crowned with battlements. The towers display machicolations, which are projecting parapets with openings through which defenders could drop objects or pour liquids, supported by decorative modillions—small bracket-like features beneath the parapet. These elements reinforce the manor’s castle-like aesthetic.

Inside, the building is organized around a central courtyard, which provides access to all parts of the house. The main façade includes the principal residential block, notable for retaining a large chimney within the noble hall, signaling the importance of this central space for heating and social gatherings.

Flanking this central area are two wings containing bedrooms, service rooms, and a chapel. The chapel’s original vaulted ceiling and spatial layout remained visible as recently as 1939, revealing details of the manor’s religious function within the household.

Behind the main living areas, the rear section contained domestic quarters where kitchens, pantries, and storage rooms were located. These spaces supported daily operations and the work of servants, maintaining the manor’s self-sufficiency.

In its more recent transformation, the site has incorporated an open-air auditorium, a cafeteria, an art gallery, and a multi-purpose room, part of a cultural revitalization program that adapts the historic fabric to contemporary community use while respecting its archaeological integrity.

Together, these preserved architectural components and ongoing restoration efforts contribute to the Castelo de Pirescoxe’s role as a historical monument that bridges its medieval origins and present-day cultural significance.