Palácio Dos Flores, Portugal

Palácio dos Flores is a unique gem—an abandoned mansion in Portugal tastefully decorated and filled with exquisite furniture. Despite my best efforts, I was unable to discover any information regarding the history of this house. It is likely in the mid- to late 19th Century. However, given its good condition, it is possible that it has not been abandoned for long.

I explore this location during my 2022 trip around Portugal.

Exploring the abandoned Palácio dos Flores

Throughout this deserted house, you can see a striking yellow and black wooden floor. Similar wood flooring was visible in another home I visited, Casa Da C. In that house, the wood had been imported from Brazil. It is possible that, similar to that other house, this one also belonged to a businessman who had connections across the Atlantic.

The front door opens into a little foyer decorated with pink armchairs and a charming miniature chandelier. Located beneath the chandelier sits a round table adorned with a vase of artificial flowers. The doors provide access to the stairs and a number of adjacent rooms. The dining room features a carved wooden ceiling, some lovely complementing wooden cabinets, and a dining table. On the opposite side of the foyer is a living room with a piano.

A wide window illuminates the stairs and upper-floor landing, making them bright and airy. There are some sad-looking plants in this area, all long dead. The master bedroom features a charmingly rustic bed with a pink chaise longue at the foot.

What lurks in the shadows, within dusty drawers

A cute little tale to finish off with. My Palácio dos Flores exploration eventually led me to a second bedroom. Not as photogenic as the first, but I had enough time to take some extra shots. As I prepped for a shot, a trace of movement from within an open drawer caught my eye. Suddenly filled with curiosity, I momentarily forgot my photos and wandered over to peek inside. A purrfect bundle of fluffy surprises; a family of adorable kittens, fast asleep amidst rumpled fabric. Shortly afterwards, Mommy Cat appeared in the doorway. As I left the room, she slinked inside and back into the drawers to tend to her babies.

Life finds a way, sometimes unexpectedly, inside long-forgotten drawers!