The House
Welcome to Casa do Barão
“Chiado” is one of the most cosmopolitan neighborhoods in Lisbon. The cultural heritage of the neighborhood, with its traditional cafes, bookstores, art galleries and shops, attracts many visitors since the beginning of 19th century. Nowadays, it is considered the best area to live and to get familiar with the city lifestyle.
The neighborhood that used to inspire the poet Fernando Pessoa was theatre of so many important moments of Portuguese culture and politics, such as the Carnation Revolution in 1974, and is now a meeting place for foreigners and locals.
Casa do Barão was born here, after the 1755 earthquake. You can experience some of the 19th century brilliance in each of the 12 rooms, the romantic style garden and social area. Here you can also taste the famous Portuguese hospitality. Those who visit say they like to stay with us. And we love it when they say that.
History of Casa do Barão
At the end of the 19th century, height of Romanticism, this was home of the Viscount of Espinhosa family. It was King D. Carlos the Ist who gave him this title at a time when the Royal House sold noble titles to wealthy people in order to fill the royal chest.
At his death, the Viscount had no direct descendants and his fortune was divided among more than 20 family members. From inheritance to inherit, the house and all its furniture reached the current owners who recovered the building and adapted it into a hotel, adding pieces of art and contemporary furniture.
Family portraits and antique furniture have been in the house since the Viscount's times. However, their relation with the Viscount and their exact provenance is unknown. It is assumed that the portrait in the kitchen, found in one of the rooms on the top floor, depicts the Viscount's wife, and one of the portraits in the Library is probably the Viscount himself.
The name “Casa do Barão” comes from Almeida Garrett, an important Portuguese writer, who ridiculed the excess of titles sold in Portugal at that time with a phrase that is still used today:
“Run away dog! or the King will make you a Baron. Where shall I hide? He will find me and make me a Viscount!”.
