Ministry of the Environment and Energy

The history of the former Viscounts of Lançada Palace dates back to the period of reconstruction under Prime Minister Pombal. The most significant transformations that are still important today took place between 1880 and 1979 with the installation of the O Século newspaper. Several changes were made for that purpose, though they all excluded the central body, main entrance and marble staircase, which maintained some of the 18th-century features. In 1905 the building was given three more floors, for the Worker Neighbourhood of O Século, even taking over what had been the Viscounts’ estate, with an extra entrance created at no. 59. Around this time, part of the neighbouring Carvalhos palace (where the Marquis of Pombal was born) was also annexed and rebuilt to house workshops, offices and a newsroom, with a spacious great room with double-ceiling height. It was a noteworthy example of iron architecture and Art Nouveau eclecticism.