Palacio Belmonte

04. Guest Book

Nicolas Corboz — 2010-02-08T04:04:38Z

Please consult our guestbook on the following attached PDF file.

01. Introduction

Nicolas Corboz — 2009-09-17T03:06:58Z

THE BELMONTE

The Palácio Belmonte is housed in the most ancient palace in Lisbon, classified "National Monument" and built on part of the roman remains of the city and the "Cerca Moura", the moorish walls of S. Jorge's Castle.

The Belmonte is ideally located on top of the hill in the historic centre of the city, near the typical Alfama district and 5mns away from down town.

The restoration process has been based on a philosophy of conserving and protecting the ambience generated by the building.

The plans to restore Palácio Belmonte intended to be an outline of what is possible in terms of architectural and Historical Heritage restoration, while at the same time safeguarding natural resources and the environment, all within the spirit of sustainable development.

Fifteenth and seventeenth century construction methodology was used and original volumes, ceilings, natural light and ventilation were kept.

The 59 panels of azulejos designed in 1725 and frescoes have been restored and the central heating is a mix of low temperature floor heating and usual central heating to lower energy consumption, all the Co2 produced by the Belmonte is offset by a plantation of” garlic trees” in the Guangxi Autonomous Region, in China.

In October 2000 along with the Tate Modern Gallery and the Royal Opera House in London, Palacio Belmonte received the RICS Award for Urban Regeneration from HRH the Prince of Wales.

The philosophy behind the restoration process continues in the Belmonte daily life. Here you will not find a standard accommodation but a real life option based on solid ecological and sustainable principles in the use of biodegradable products, as well as only music instead of television due to deep belief for a personal and intimate experience.

The Belmonte, offers on its 3700sqm, 11 exclusive suites, each of them uniquely decorated with lush paintings and pieces of the 15th to the 18th century portuguese furniture complimented by contemporary pieces.

The Bartolomeu de Gusmão's suite with its vaulted ceiling on an octogonal tiled room, private stone staircase, stunning views and a fabulous terrace has been acclaimed as "one of the 10 most beautiful suites in the World" (Conde Nast, Wallpaper).

Palácio Belmonte's main philosophy is to provide the highest level of exclusivity and the best service.

Among its facilities, guests will find a library with more than 4.000 books, music and internet in each suite, 7 terraces, a beautiful black marble outdoor swimming pool and a lush biological mediterranean garden, overlooking the city and the river where you will enjoy the Belmonte breakfast.

The feeling you will have while staying at the Belmonte, is one of total freshness, natural comfort, privacy, and astounding simplicity and freedom.

The Belmonte is a real alternative experience based on solid ecological and sustainable principles.

Become part of this unique experience.

1. Access plan

Maria — 2008-07-02T18:32:34Z

Library

Frédéric COUSTOLS — 2006-12-17T19:31:36Z

In the Palacio you will walk through an open library with more than 4000 books, publications and papers, in a variety of languages and themes including ecology, sustainable development and philosophy. A living library, including many books offered by our guests that add value and variety to our allready rich collection. - 06. Activities

Portugal today

Frédéric COUSTOLS — 2006-10-15T10:49:54Z

While at the Belmonte discover Portugal of today. - 06. Activities

01. Restoring the PalacioThe first two years

Frédéric COUSTOLS — 2006-01-22T16:24:33Z

The first two years were devoted to understanding the different phases of the construction from 130 years b.c. to 1995 - archeological research, light, volumes, air circulation, materials, heat, cold, wind, rain, noise , colors,plants. During theses two years under the direction of Architect Pedro Quirino da Fonseca and with the constant help of Architect Felipe Lopes, head of the City Hall rehabilitation department, the lost but old efficient Vitruve's lime mortar was redeveloped when we found the way to produce it (2 factories have been opened with our formula, and the National Monuments of Portugal use our lime mortar "Cal Fradical" in Portugal instead of cement). The interest of this lime mortar lies in the fact that Portugal on a coastal front is very humid with huge differences of temperature which are absorbed by the lime mortar. A booklet was published explaining the lime mortar which we offered to architects, contractors, civil servants and universities.

Then the vaults and the roofs with roman tiles lined-up were rebuilt and secured with lime mortar. All the ceilings "a caisson" have been either restored or redone, not only for aesthetic reasons, but also for air circulation. Lastly, a natural ventilation was created in all the rooms of the Palácio by constructing air circulation conducts opening in each room with small thick stone encased vents. Three retractable canvas sails above a "green house" terrace, providing a soft pleasant lighting all-around and creating a soft, natural air density, easy to breath, were also placed. All tiled floors have been laid in the traditional way, on top of a low temperature water heated system, these tiles are made of red clay (made in Setubal and 50% baked in the sun). The 59 panels of Azulejos (XVIIIth century blue painted tiles) more than 38.000 tiles have been taken down, restored and remounted, attributed to the masters Manuel dos Santos 1710 and Joaquim de Almeida 1730. They give to all sitting rooms and some bedrooms [...]

The façades and materials

02. The façades and materials

Maria — 2005-08-26T11:31:57Z

The 5 "façades" from 1640, which had been poorly anchored at the time, have been restored at each level, the angles tied-up with metal pins. All historical discoveries and traces of the evolution of the construction through the ages have been highlighted. The Palácio, being a very compact part of Lisbon on top of the hill of the Saint Georges Castle, we could not succeed in treating and re-using water - the use of renewable energy was also impossible, due to the fact that all roofs are visible from the Castle.

Nevertheless, the use of lime mortar - natural ventilation - low temperature central heating - sophisticated insulation of the roofs, floors and walls, double glazing - a lot of planning of the lighting, allowed us to use a maximum of 126 kWa for around 3.700 meters, reducing by ten times the usual consumption level of energy. The old construction materials - wood - iron - roman tiles - stone was as much as possible re-used. Systems of modern communications have been installed - 3 telephone lines in each suite - (fax, internet, telephone) to optimize privacy. Associations of rooms per suite have been done to maximize the quality of natural lighting ventilation and to minimize noise effects. The garden has been totally redesigned and planted according to organic principles with usable and numerous local species, plants, fruit, trees, flowers.

The investment has been higher than expected . The Portuguese State, the city of Lisbon and the European Union participated.

Becoming an active member of the local community of Lisbon and of Alfama has been one of our most important goals. The social corpus of the area maintained, by keeping the 21 tenants under rent control living in the four adjoining buildings. Each of their 21 apartments has been restored with the financial and technical assistance of the City Hall bringing total modern comfort while keeping the rents at their present level. On January 22nd 2000 an exhibition room was opened to the public, the Café Belmonte and to the Lisbon City Hall was offered the selection of the theme of the exhibition each year during the month of June.

Six shops on the Largo do Contador Mor and 400 meters of boutiques room on Pateo da Baixa, presenting a selection of very good products from Portugal (olive oil, cheese, wine, bread, craftsmanship, etc...), parking, small conference center and social housing are planed to open.

02. Books with reference to Palácio Belmonte

Maria — 2005-08-26T11:14:22Z

- “Eléments pour une histoire de la municipalité de Lisbonne”, by Eduardo Freire de Oliveira. 1894.
“Quartiers anciens de Lisbonne” Vol. I, by Julio Castilho, Lisbon 1934.
“Le cartier de Santiago” Vol II, by Manuel Vaz Ferreira de Andrade, Lisbon 1948-1949.
“Inventaire de Lisbonne” Facs V, by Norberto de Araujo, Lisbon 1940-1956.
“Lisbonne de L à L”, by Luis Pastor Macedo, 1955-1968
“Monuments et edifices remarquables du district de Lisbonne”, Vol V , Tome I, by D. Fernando de Almeida, Lisbon 1973.
“Azulejos de Portugal au XVIII siecle”, by J.M. dos Santos Simões, Lisbon 1979.
“La muraille dês Maures de Lisbonne”, by Augusto Vieira da Silva, Lisbon 1987.
“Dictionaire de l'Histoire de Lisbonne” by Santana, Francisco, Sucena, Eduardo (dir. de), Lisbon 1992.
“Lisbonne quartier de São Tiago”, by Ana Cristina Lourenço, Lisbon 1993.
“Pátios de Lisboa”, by Ana Cristina Leite, Lisbon 1991.
“Uma Biografia de Pedro de Figueiredo (1657-1722)”, by Maria João Andrade e Sousa, Lisbon 1998.
Desempenho Funcional de Edificios Complexos,uma monografia by Filipa Baeta,Duarte Pape,Hugo Ribeiro,Silvia Morais,Maestrado en recuperacao e Conservacao do Patrimonio Construido do Instituto Superior Tecnico,2006

03. Movies made in Palácio Belmonte

Maria — 2005-08-24T15:15:24Z

- Lisbon Story by Wim Wenders. (IMDb review)

Afirma Pereira with Marcelo Mastroiani (IMDb review)

01. Press Review

Maria — 2005-08-24T15:14:12Z

Palacio Belmonte By Rupert Eden

Featured Hotel in Lisbon

National Geographic

Palacio Belmonte

A Hedonist´s guide to Lisbon

By Sarah Marshall

Madame

Kreativer Wandel

Luxury Travel Magazine

Top 10 Europe´s Hidden Gems

"City Hotels/Palacio Belmonte"

Fugas

Dia dos Namorados

"Suites for my sweetheart"

Mundos dos Sonhos

Hotel Palacio Belmonte

Pastaiga

Lisabonas adreses

Revista Sest Diena

Palacio Belmonte

Ferie Magasin Berlingske

Lissabons hjerte

Sucre Collection

Hotel Palacio Belmonte

SuverkrupAhrendt

Palacio Belmonte

Travel Lisboa

Saudade Chic

Traveler Lisboa

A LA MEDIDA DE TUS SUEÑOS

Le Figaro Madame,

Hotels en l'air

"Vue de château à Lisbonne"

Town&Country Travel

INSPIRATIONS

Wedding day

HEAVEN ON EARTH

"The world's TOP 100 Honeymoons"

Vida, Independente, Portugal

Mil et uma noites

Firma, Italy

Palazzo Belmonte

Henne, Norway

Lovende netter i Lisboa

Time Out Guide (UK)

American Express Guide (USA) www.departure.com

Louis Vuitton Guide (Portugal)

Evasões (Portugal)

Press review,extract

Maxima Interiores (Portugal)
Time Out Guide (UK)

May - Travel and Leisure (USA)
May - Conde Nast Traveler (USA)
August - Conde Nast Traveller (UK)
August - Conde Nast Traveler (USA)
December - Swissair Gazette (CH)
December - Les Echos (France)
December - Expresso (Portugal)
December - International Chapters (UK)

January - Louis Vuitton Guide
January - Publituris nº 765 (Portugal)
February - Icon (Portugal)
February - OQ (Portugal)
February - Publituris (Portugal)
March - City (Portugal)
March - Dove (Italy)
April - Es Magazine (Portugal)
May - Conde Nast Traveller (UK)
May - Conde Nast Traveler (USA)
May - Galliventers Guide (UK)
September - Caras (Portugal)
October - Jornal do Brasil (Portugal)
October - Expresso Economia (Portugal)
October - Financial Times (UK)
October - RICS Awards 2000
October - RICS Magazine (UK)
November - Lux (Portugal)
November - Expresso Economia (Portugal)
November - Diário de Noticias
November - Arte Ibérica (Portugal)
December - Conde Nast Traveler (USA)
December - Architecti Magazine (Portugal)
December - Travel (USA)

International Chapter (UK)
Guide Hachette (France)
American Express Guide (USA)
Guia da Europa para Caçadores de Antiguidades (Portugal) 2001
Elite 2001 (UK)
February-Fortunas & Negócios (Portugal)
March-People & Businessthe Portuguese Review (Portugal)
May-Clássicos e Modernos (Portugal)
July-Publica Magazine (Portugal)
July-Invista Magazine (Portugal)
July-Status Magazine/Semanário Económico (Portugal)
June/July - Portugália Airlines Magazine (Portugal)
July/August-Departures(USA)
October - Exame (Portugal)
Maison Française Oct. 2001
October - Homem (Portugal)
November Expedia Travel Magazine (USA)
November- Publituris (Portugal)
November - Visão (Portugal)
The best designed hotels in Europe guide (Germany) Lebensart Nov 2001
Film Cameo production expo channel 15 min
December - Caras (Portugal) 2001

Conde Nast Traveller Jan 2002
Travel and Leisure Jan 2002
Evasões (Portugal) Jan 2002
Lux DecoMagazine (Portugal) Jan 2002
Guide American Express edition anglaise Feb 2002 Centurion
Monumentos (Portugal)
Coté Sud (France)
Guide Arthaud (France) Jun 2002

ATRIUM Architectural Magazine (Germany)
Suddeutsche Zeitung Magazine (Germany)