Palácio dos Salazares

Palácio dos Salazares, also known as Casa da Viscondessa de Espinhal or Palácio dos Viscondes do Espinhal, is a historic palace in the parish of Lousã, municipality of Lousã, Coimbra District, Portugal. It was built by order of Bernardo Salazar Sarmento d'Eça e Alarcão in the late 18th century, with the central body completed in 1818 by the children of Desembargador Bernardo Salazar. One of his children was Maria da Piedade de Mello Sampaio Salazar, the Viscondessa do Espinhal, a great benefactress of the town of Lousã. The palace is classified as a Property of Public Interest (Imóvel de Interesse Público) since 2002. The palace is closely associated with episodes of the French Invasions. Marshal Masséna, commander of the Napoleonic troops, is known to have stayed in this house, then belonging to the father of the Viscondessa. On 16 March 1811, troops commanded by Marshal Ney, stationed on the left bank of the Ceira river, received an unexpected night attack from the vanguard of the Anglo-Portuguese troops and rushed in panic across the narrow medieval bridge and a ford, being defeated. Meanwhile, Masséna was preparing for dinner, but upon receiving news of the disaster at the Battle of Foz de Arouce, fled precipitately. Shortly afterwards, the Duke of Wellington entered Lousã triumphantly, and sitting at the table Masséna had abandoned, was able to savour with redoubled pleasure the dinner that had been prepared for the enemy. On this day, the Duke of Wellington wrote a report of successes that is in the history of the campaign. Today, the palace houses the Meliá Palácio da Lousã, a hotel and spa operated by Meliá Hotels International. The official website describes it as a refuge in the heart of the Central Region, between the Serra da Lousã and the Schist Villages. In the former palace of the Viscondessa do Espinhal, history, nature and the charm of historic environments meet in an authentic experience. The property offers rooms and suites where every detail has been carefully thought out to provide a memorable stay, a spa, and dining focused on local gastronomy with roots, fresh products and recipes that value tradition. The hotel also offers unique experiences, a simple menu with authentic flavours and dishes cooked over fire in a wood-fired oven. It is positioned as a destination for summer holidays, romantic getaways and family stays, with promotional offers such as a two-night stay with a €25 spa credit between August and September.

Palácio dos Salazares, also known as Casa da Viscondessa de Espinhal or Palácio dos Viscondes do Espinhal, is a historic palace located in the parish of Lousã, municipality of Lousã, Coimbra District, Portugal. It was built by order of Bernardo Salazar Sarmento d'Eça e Alarcão in the late 18th century. In 1818, the construction of the central body was completed by the children of Desembargador Bernardo Salazar. One of his children was Maria da Piedade de Mello Sampaio Salazar, the Viscondessa do Espinhal, a great benefactress of the town of Lousã. The palace is associated with episodes of the French Invasions. It is known that Marshal Masséna, commander of the Napoleonic troops, had installed himself in this house, at the time belonging to the father of the Viscondessa. On 16 March 1811, the troops commanded by Marshal Ney, installed on the left bank of the Ceira river, received an unexpected night attack from the vanguard of the Anglo-Portuguese troops and rushed in panic across the narrow medieval bridge and a ford, having been defeated. Meanwhile, Masséna was preparing for dinner, but upon receiving news of the disaster at the Battle of Foz de Arouce, fled precipitately. Shortly afterwards, the Duke of Wellington entered Lousã triumphantly, and sitting at the table that Masséna had abandoned, was able to savour with redoubled pleasure the dinner that had been prepared for the enemy. On this day, the Duke of Wellington wrote a report of successes that is in the history of the campaign. The palace has been classified as a Property of Public Interest (Imóvel de Interesse Público) since 2002. Currently, it houses the Meliá Palácio da Lousã hotel. The official website describes the property as a refuge in the heart of the Central Region, between the Serra da Lousã and the Schist Villages. In the former palace of the Viscondessa do Espinhal, history, nature and the charm of historic environments meet in an authentic experience. The hotel offers rooms and suites where every detail has been carefully thought out to provide a memorable stay, a spa, and dining focused on local gastronomy with roots, fresh products and recipes that value tradition. It also offers unique experiences, a simple menu with authentic flavours and dishes cooked over fire in a wood-fired oven. The hotel promotes summer holidays with a two-night stay offer including a €25 spa credit between August and September.

• Construction ordered by Bernardo Salazar Sarmento d'Eça e Alarcão in the late 18th century.

• Completion of the central body by the children of Desembargador Bernardo Salazar in 1818.

• Marshal Masséna stayed in the house during the French Invasions; on 16 March 1811, the Battle of Foz de Arouce took place nearby, and the Duke of Wellington entered Lousã.

• Classified as Imóvel de Interesse Público (Property of Public Interest) in 2002.

• Currently houses the Meliá Palácio da Lousã hotel.

A historic palace transformed into a luxury hotel and spa, offering an authentic experience blending history, nature and local gastronomy in the heart of Portugal's Central Region.

• Meliá Palácio da Lousã hotel

  Hotel housed in the historic palace, offering rooms and suites.

• Spa

  Spa facilities offering a return to origins in nature.

• Raíz restaurant

  Restaurant offering local gastronomy with roots, fresh products and traditional recipes, with dishes cooked in a wood-fired oven.

1. 1Homepage - Palácio da Lousãpalaciodalousa.com
2. 2Palácio dos Salazares - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Palácio dos Salazares - Wikipedia (Portuguese)pt.wikipedia.org