Palacio dos Marqueses de Fronteira (Palace of the Marquesses of Fronteira), Lisbon

Nestled far from the usual tourist paths, this palace located near the modern district of Benfica was originally constructed as a hunting pavilion for João de Mascarenhas, the inaugural Marquês de Fronteira. Situated on the outskirts of Monsanto Park, it stands as one of Lisbon's most captivating architectural gems. Dating back to 1670, it is renowned for showcasing some of the most exquisite examples of Portuguese tile panels, both within the palace itself and throughout the surrounding gardens. While the 13th Marquis still resides here, select living areas, the library, and the formal gardens are accessible to visitors as part of the tour.

The oldest segment of the house is the late-16th-century chapel, its façade adorned with a curious array of stones, shells, fragments of glass, and shards of china. Legend has it that these remnants once adorned the table during the palace's inauguration feast, later intentionally broken to prevent anyone else from dining off the same set. The garden exploration commences at the chapel terrace, where tiled niches depict representations of the arts and mythological beings.

Within the meticulously groomed Italian garden, manicured box hedges are artistically shaped to symbolize the changing seasons. Towards one end, tiled depictions of gallant knights on horseback, symbolizing the Fronteira family's ancestors, are mirrored in the waters of a large pool. On each side of the pool, a grand staircase leads to an elevated terrace. Here, decorative niches house busts of Portuguese monarchs, and colorful majolica reliefs embellish the arcades. Further enhancing the garden's charm are additional blue-and-white tiled scenes, a blend of realism and allegory, adorning the wall at the far end of this enchanting outdoor space.