Casa dos Bicos & Fundação José Saramago
The Casa dos Bicos ("House of Points" or "House of Spikes") in the Alfama district of Lisbon, is now part of the Museu de Lisboa, which also includes the Palácio Pimenta, Santo António, Teatro Romano and the Torreão Poente.
Casa dos Bicos contains the José Saramago Foundation (Fundação José Saramago), which is devoted to the life and art of the Nobel Prize-winning author. Personal items from the novelist are on display along with a library for researchers and Saramago's books on sale in a variety of languages.
History
The house was built in 1523 for the son, Brás de Albuquerque, of the Portuguese viceroy of India, Afonso de Albuquerque (1453-1515).
The remarkable façade of over 1,000 diamond-shaped spikes is believed to be based on the style of the Italian Renaissance palace, the Palazzo dei Diamanti in Ferrara and also incorporates elements of Manueline architecture in its arched windows and ornate portals. The façade also includes an open gallery and three arches (loggia). The architect is thought to have been Francisco de Arruda, also responsible for the Belem Tower.
At the time of its construction the house stood much closer to the River Tagus and boats would unload their spices and other riches from India and the Far East outside the property. The whole waterfront at this time in this area of the capital was lined with the grandiose homes of noble families.
A popular expression at the time was ter a Casa dos Bicos ("owning the Casa dos Bicos"), meaning someone who possessed a fortune.
The house largely survived the devastating 1755 Lisbon earthquake but was gradually abandoned as a dwelling by the Albuquerque family and became used as a store house for bacalhau (salted cod).
The house has been totally restored beginning in the 1980's according to original drawings and paintings from the period of its construction. It was during this building work that the Roman and later Moorish remains under the house were discovered and are now visible through glass panels on the ground floor. These include Roman storage tanks for salted fish and glass cabinets with Roman and Moorish ceramics on display.
Fundação José Saramago
In 2012 the Casa dos Bicos became the head office of the José Saramago Foundation (Fundação José Saramago) and a permanent exhibition: Jose Saramago. The seed and the fruits, was established on the upper floors of the building dedicated to José Saramago, the man and his work.
The Fundação José Saramago also includes the author's studio, a shop with all of the author's work on sale in a number of languages as well as an auditorium and library.
The room displaying the author's studio includes some of his early notebooks when the author was still at school, his desk, books and typewriter. A video also introduces Saramago and his life story from the child of poor peasant family to Nobel laureate.
Access
Fundação José Saramago (josesaramago.org Casa dos Bicos)
Rua dos Bacalhoeiros, 10
1100-135 Lisbon
Tel: 218 802 040
The nearest Lisbon metro station to the Casa dos Bicos is Terreiro do Paço; Alternatively take any of Lisbon buses: #711, #714, #732, #735, #737, #736, #759, #760, #781, #782, and the AerobBus to Terreiro do Paço.
Hours: From Monday to Saturday 10 am - 6 pm (Last entry 5.30 pm)
Admission: €3.00. Reductions apply for holders of the Lisboa Card, Cartão Jovem, students and visitors over 65.
The Casa dos Bicos is close to the Praça do Comércio, Arco da Rua Augusta, Lisbon Cathedral, the Igreja de Santo António, the Museu do Aljube and the Teatro Romano.
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