Casa Sommer, Cascais
Casa Sommer, Exhibition and documentation centre in Cascais, Portugal
Casa Sommer is located in Portugal
Casa Sommer
Location within Portugal
Established2016 (2016)
LocationAv. da República, 132, Cascais, Portugal
Coordinates38°41′42″N 9°25′26″W / 38.6949°N 9.4239°W / 38.6949; -9.4239

Casa Sommer is a building in Cascais, on the Portuguese Riviera, which houses the Cascais Municipal Historical Archive and a branch of the Cascais Municipal Library, hosting collections pertaining to the town's archaeological, architectural, historical and cultural heritage. Built as the residence of entrepreneur Henrique de Sommer, Casa Sommer is a noted example of Summer architecture.

History

The house was constructed at the end of the 19th century. It is considered the most important example of a neoclassical private residence in Cascais. The exterior features smooth and curved pediments, fluted pilasters, and triglyphs. The main façade features a rectangular portico, which frames the entrance and creates the balcony on the second floor, which is protected by a balustrade.[1]

After it ceased to be a family home the house was for a time used as a language school and then a children's home,[2] before falling into disrepair for a time. It was then restored by the Municipality of Cascais and officially opened on 7 December 2016. The work, led by the architect Paula Santos, which also included the building's old coach house, succeeded in adding considerable internal floor space. It included construction of a new underground corridor linking the main building to the coach house, which now houses the Municipal Historical Archive.[1]

Collection

On display is the restored Foral of Cascais, which was a royal document signed by Manuel I of Portugal whose purpose was to establish a town or village Council and regulate its administration, borders and privileges. A community would need a Foral in order to function as a town. The second oldest book is the Livro de Posturas (Book of Regulations), which recorded the town's rules and regulations.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Casa Sommer". Cascais. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  2. ^ BELO, INÊS (15 January 2017). "Casa Sommer, um espaço de memórias". Visao Sete. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  3. ^ "Casa Sommer - Arquivo Histórico Municipal de Cascais". Archived from the original on 30 January 2018. Retrieved 30 January 2018.


  • Media related to Cascais at Wikimedia Commons