Palacio do Raio description and photos - Portugal: Braga (Topic)

Palacio do Raio description and photos - Portugal: Braga. Detailed information about the attraction. Description, photographs and a map showing the nearest significant objects. The title in English is Palacio do Raio.

Photo and description

The Raiu Palace (also called the Mexican House) was built during the reign of King Joao V, 1774-1755, and is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city of Braga.

The palace construction project was developed by the architect Andre Soares, already known in Braga for his artistic projects, by order of the influential and wealthy businessman Juan Duarte de Faria, who was also a knight of the Order of Christ. Presumably in 1867, the palace was sold to the entrepreneur Miguel Jose Rai, and after a while the Palace became known as the Raiu Palace. Later, the building passed to the Order of Mercy, which housed the separate rooms of the Hospital of St. Mark in the palace.

As for the architectural features, the palace is made in the late Baroque style. The Baroque style is mainly reflected in the structure of the building, and the building is decorated in the Rococo style. The facade of the two-story palace, with the exception of the window decoration, is decorated with the famous azulejo tiles. The roof of the palace is decorated with a balustrade with pointed turrets. On the ground floor, in addition to the main entrance, there are two more side doors painted blue to match the facade of the building.

On the second floor, the balcony, which is located directly above the main entrance, is also decorated with a balustrade and two decorative sculptures. The flank windows on this floor are less sophisticated than the center windows. Particular attention is drawn inside the main staircase with three flights, decorated with a sculpture of a Turk.

Raiu Palace is one of the most visited places in the city of Braga, and since 1956 has been included in the list of monuments. which are of public interest.

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Topic: Palacio do Raio description and photos - Portugal: Braga.