Art and Architecture

The construction initiated in 1543, following Diogo de Castilho’s design.

The educational and residential areas of the College were organised around a central cloister. In the 18th century, the upper floor on the east side was expanded and renovated, receiving new apron windows and an ornamented balcony.

After the extinction of religious orders in 1834, the building was incorporated into the National Treasury and served as a lumber warehouse until it was acquired by the Counts of Ameal. In 1895, the architect Silva Pinto adapted the building to a residential palace using a neoclassical revivalist design, and enhanced it with a sculpture by João Machado.

In 1928, the building was bought by the Ministry of Justice for the purpose of establishing a courthouse there. The building suffered further alterations in 1930. The works were based on a project by Manuel Abreu Castelo Branco, and supervised by the Directorate-General for National Buildings and Monuments.