Palacete dos Viscondes de Balsemão

The Palacete dos Viscondes de Balsemão stands in Porto as an architectural landmark shaped by noble residence, civic work, and cultural preservation. José Alvo Brandão built the palace in the mid-eighteenth century. The Balsemão family later gave the building its name, while José António de Sousa Basto reshaped its appearance. Its façade retains symmetry, stonework, and proportions associated with Porto’s historic noble houses. The interior includes large rooms, high ceilings, and decorative details that reflect tastes from Porto’s eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. An exiled King Charles Albert of Sardinia stayed here during his time in Porto. Today, Porto City Council uses the palace as the workplace for its municipal Culture and Heritage Department. The Materials Bank preserves tiles, stucco, woodwork, iron, and stone from altered buildings. Its collection includes Portuguese azulejos with Hispano-Arabic patterns, alongside street signs and other architectural fragments. The Materials Bank keeps these elements for possible reuse in Porto’s built heritage. Triplex occupies exhibition rooms on the ground floor and presents temporary photography, design, and visual art exhibitions. The programme connects the palace with Porto City Museum’s wider network of historic places.