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Trienal de Arquitectura de Lisboa
© Anabela Luís
© CMA
© CMA

Former Penitentiary of Trafaria

  • Original Authors:
  • Várias autorias
  • (séc. XVII, XVIII, XIX e XX)

  • Interventions:
  • vmsa arquitectos
  • (em curso)

The Prison of Trafaria dates back to the 16th century, and it was founded as a Lazar house. After the transference of the old quarantine station to Porto Brandão, the building became a military prison during the liberal wars. Next, it gained other functions: a cod drying storeroom, a guano factory, a nursery and a warehouse for Royal ships. The advent of the Republic transformed this building into a prison. During the Estado Novo this prison was essentially for political opponents to the fascist regime, until the democratic revolution of the 25th of April of 1974. The complex is developed around a garden punctuated by two massive dragon trees. In the east of the building, there were the kitchens and a refectory; the prison wing was to the south; the guards lodgings, the cells for officers, the infirmaries and the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Saúde occupied a northern wing. This building was acquired by the Municipality of Almada in 2000 and it has been open to diverse cultural events curated by local associations. The restoration of the whole complex is in progress. It now houses the Institute of the Arts and Technology of the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, that offers training and laboratory-based research and supports art projects with a technology component.

Address
Praceta do Porto de Lisboa, Trafaria
Get Directions

Public Transportation
Bus: 117, 125

Typology
Infra-estruturas

Photos
Photography allowed

Favoritos
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