the primitive space, on the periphery of the city, was already under-pressure from the urban sprawl and the old quinta da boa vista, as it was known by the 15th century. it is in this context that the construction of the 17th century palace occurred, based on a monumental facade and two floors, fronting on a square. the importance of the square placed the medieval square into a secondary utility. it was preserved by a late baroque project, owing to its symbolic importance.