The Casa de Quental Apartment in Lisbon

Breathe “Art” in the charming style of an architect apartment !

On the Sant’Ana hill, one of the historic hills of Lisbon and like a true “Lisboeta”, enjoy a relaxing stay in the former apartment of the portuguese poet Anthero de Quental. With the city at your feet, in the far the Tagus river, in front of the São Jorge Castle or the Graça Church, you will be only few minutes away from the Baixa and the busy streets of Rossio.

The area surrounding the apartment:

The freguesia of the Pena which comprises the Sant’Ana hill is one of the oldest historical district in Lisbon. In 1580 died here the famous poet Luis de Camões, author of « Os Lusiadas » and in 1920 was born in the same place Amalia Rodrigues, the well-known portuguese fadista. The area owes even more history, in this very accomodation had lived Anthero de Quental who had had an extensive letter exchange with the famous writer Eça de Queiroz for years. This quiet neighbourhood has still many XVIIIth et XIXth century palaces, like the Palace of Bemposta, residence of the queen D.Catarina de Bragança, widow of king Charles II of England, in early XVIIIth century.
Only 100 mètres away, have a walk in the garden of Campo dos Mártires da Pátria, a green space in the center of the city with a public parking lot. Here you will be surprised by the spontaneous religious fervour of Portuguese people who have honoured the statue of doctor Sousa Martins in front of the faculty of medecine for more than a century. Don’t forget that you are located at the top of a hill and go to the Miradouro / Garden of Torel and admire the view over the occidental part of the city, the avenue of Liberdade, the Eduardo VII park and the São Roque hill. Two choices are for you if you want to go down to the center and towards Rossio or the avenue da Liberdade : walking down the calçada de Santana, a very steep slope leading to the squares of Rossio with many restaurants and shopping zones or alternatively (and a MUST for the return) take the funicular of Lavra, the first transportation to overcome a hill in Lisbon 120 years ago, it links the Largo da Anunciada (at the foot of the hill) with the Travessa do Forno do Torel (at the top).

The apartment:

As already mentioned, this is the former apartment of the portuguese poet Anthero de Quental, a figure which appeared on the 5000 escudos bank notes before the coming of Euro. He had lived in this flat during the second half of the 19th century. For your personal culture, Quental was « Prince of Youth », translator of Goethe, poet and philosopher, but also a redoubtable polemic, licenseed in Law from Coimbra University and printer, always travelling, founder of workers’ associations and politics newspapers, and very good friend of other portuguese literature big names Oliveira Martins and Eça de Queiroz,
Located at the noble level (1st floor) of this historic 19th century building, this holiday accomodation has been completely remodelled by an architect who gave it back spirit and brightness. Old wooden floors, stuc molding ceilings, great volumes were all kept with a new distribution of rooms, more modern and functional. This holiday accomodation is ready for two people with an elegant bedroom with a double bed, but here can also stay a family of 3, in this case the child will use the single sofa bed. The entrance is very spacious with large closets and both with the living room are full of huge pieces of art, all together giving a subtle cachet to the apartment. Modern comfort is not forgotten with stereo hifi, WIFI, TV and DVD sets. Many reckons of the accomodation call you : a rest in an armchair, curiosity of a book, silence of a portuguese guitarra.
The bathroom has been entirely re-thought and now is a relaxing space, a huge shower in polished concrete in a precious spirit.
Finally is the kitchen, modern, bright and very well equipped should you want to prepare your own dishes instead of going out to one of hundreds restaurants in Lisbon.

An ideal place for an unforgetable “artistic” stay in the heart of the 7 hill city !