The Herdade da Comenda de Mouguelas is a place of remarkable beauty, unique in Portugal. It stands out not only for its extraordinary natural setting—nestled against the backdrop of the Serra da Arrábida and overlooking the confluence of the Sado River with the Atlantic Ocean—but also for the exuberant lightness of its palace's architecture, designed by the renowned architect Raul Lino.
This privileged location has attracted human settlement over the centuries, offering access to water, food, protection, and other natural resources. These factors have led to its varied uses throughout history, including as a site for fish salting industries, agricultural activities, places of worship, coastal defense fortifications, and leisure spaces.
Within the estate's lands, one can find traces of human presence dating back to the Neolithic and Roman periods, long before the formation of Portugal. A journey through Comenda’s history takes you from these ancient times through the Middle Ages and the Modern Era, closely tied to the history of the Military Order of Santiago, from which it derives its name. During its golden age, between the 15th and 16th centuries, it was frequented by nationally and internationally significant figures such as Vasco da Gama and the Portuguese kings Afonso V and Manuel I.
With the dissolution of the religious orders in 1834 and the nationalization and subsequent sale of their assets, the history of the Comenda took a new direction. It became state property and was later sold to a private individual. Under private ownership, it changed hands several times, including to the French Count and diplomat Ernest Armand in 1872. It was during the Armand family's ownership, and under the design of architect Raul Lino, that the current house, known as the palace due to its distinctive and magnificent character, was constructed starting in 1903.
Over time, the Palace of Comenda fell into neglect, leading to its deterioration, vandalism, and the loss of some decorative elements, including most of its tile panels.
However, at the end of 2019, the Comenda Estate began to experience a revival following its acquisition by the company Palácio da Comenda SA whose interest in the history of this territory led to a detailed study of its millennia-old history and the establishment of an interpretive center to share this history.
I-VI centuries
- Remains of a Roman villa-type settlement, featuring a structure that may have been the hypocaust of a Roman bathhouse.
- Presence of salting tanks, confirming fish product preparation at the mouth of the Ajuda or Aravil’s stream. These included sauces and salted fish that underwent fermentation for several months, intended for local consumption and export.
- Dam (Presa do Pinheiro) and a water channel system.
- Domestic structures with material contexts dating back to the Late Antiquity period.
VIII-XII centuries
- It is believed that a Ribat existed in the area corresponding to Comenda de Mouguelas. A ribat was a type of structure akin to a "war-monastery," where individuals gathered for meditation and mystical reflection in their quest to find Allah/God, while also serving the jihad (holy war) for the defense and expansion of Islam. These structures could be natural or man-made caves grouped around a central structure. During the Islamic period, there were three or four rabita (ribat centers) in the Setúbal Peninsula. One overlooked the Tagus near Al Madan/Almada, another in the mountain range bearing the same name, one in the Sado estuary at the beginning of the canal leading to Al Qasr/Alcácer, and possibly another in the area of Comenda de Mouguelas. This last ribat would have protected the entrance of the Wadi Xetubar/Sado and an inland valley of the Arrábida mountains, west of Setúbal, which at that time was still navigable to a certain extent.
1172
- Shortly after its creation in Spain, the Order of Santiago established itself in Portugal around 1172. After successfully defending against Almohad attacks that year, the Order received several donations from the first Portuguese king, D. Afonso Henriques: the castles of Monsanto (near Idanha) and Abrantes in 1172, the town of Arruda in 1172, and the town of Abrantes in 1173/1174.
Between 1242 and 1275
- Between 1242 and 1275 (exact date unknown), D. Paio Peres Correia, Grand Master of the Order of Santiago, donated lands in the Palmela area, specifically in the “Cimas das Várzea do Galvão,” to Domingos Martins de Mouguelas. At that time, the property was an agricultural estate already producing vineyards and olive groves, which yielded 400 pounds.
1290
- Around 1290, Pedro Salgado, the second Treasurer-General to King D. Dinis, received from the Grand Master of the Order the "fortellicium et locun" of Mouguelas, meaning the "fortress and place," which he was to enjoy for some days of his life.
1318
- There was a "fortellicium, in turri" in Mouguelas, referring to a fortress in the form of a tower, or tower-fortress.
- A Christian place of worship likely existed at this time, which would later become the parish church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda.
1343
- The commandery of Mouguelas ceased to be under Palmela’s jurisdiction, which had been under the authority of Santa Maria of Palmela and was transferred to the jurisdiction of Setúbal.
- The existing church likely came under the jurisdiction of São Julião de Setúbal, where it was documented in 1552.
- The Mouguelas tower/fortress became an important defensive post and watchtower for the port of Setúbal.
1458
King D. Afonso V stayed in or passed through Mouguelas from September 28 to 30, while commanding an armada of 93 ships, waiting for favorable weather to embark on the expedition to Alcácer Ceguer.
1506
-On May 4, King D. Manuel I convened a meeting in Mouguelas with Lisbon’s city officials and the four representatives of the Casa dos Vinte e Quatro.
1534
-The earliest documented reference to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda dates back to 1534, noting its location near the Commandery of Mouguelas. It's also said that Vasco da Gama, upon returning from India in 1499, ordered a chapel to be built on the southern side, suggesting the church's existence since the 13th or 14th century.
1680
-Around 1680, a fort known as the Fort of São João or Nossa Senhora da Ajuda was built in Mouguelas.
- As a remaining testimony to this ancient building - which already disappeared in the 19th century - on the exterior wall of the Comenda palace, on the NE facade, a marble plaque with an inscription, with the abbreviated history of the afore mentioned fortress, still remains today.
1834
- In 1834, following the Liberal Revolution of 1820, religious orders, including military orders like the Order of Santiago, were dissolved, and their properties were nationalized.
1850
- By the mid-19th century, the Church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda began to fall into disrepair. The last baptism took place there on June 1, 1845. On October 19, 1850, the parish was abolished and integrated into the parish of Nossa Senhora da Anunciada. Around this time, the statue of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda was likely moved to the Church of Nossa Senhora da Anunciada, where it remains today.
1857
-Agostinho Rodrigues Albino became the first private owner of the Comenda after purchasing it from the State. While the exact purchase date is unclear, it was already in his possession by 1861, likely acquired around 1857. He was a wealthy owner, merchant and agent of the former tobacco monopoly and had also influence on the local political scene, having been mayor of Setúbal.
1872
- Count Ernest Armand bought the Comenda, along with three attached farms (Estrada, Cruz, and Ajuda) and direct ownership of four land plots with mills (Pinheirinho mill, Ameijoa mill, Cabeço mill, and Nico mill). He also purchased the Church of Nossa Senhora da Ajuda, converting it into a wine cellar, and the Hermitage of São Brás.
- There was a large house in the Comenda that would be used on weekends
1903
-Count Abel Henri Georges Armand commissioned the young architect Raul Lino to design a new house for the Comenda estate.
1908
- The Comenda Palace was nearly completed, with only a few final touches remaining, particularly the exterior tile panels, which were added over time.
1919
-Count Roger Ernest Marie Joseph Armand inherited the property along with his mother and siblings. His goal as the new owner was to preserve the richness of the local flora. He created a large park, where he maintained the existing plant species and introduced new ones.
1965
- In July 1965, Jacqueline Kennedy, widow of U.S. President John F. Kennedy, and her sister, Princess Lee Radziwill, stayed at the Comenda Palace. Jacqueline sought refuge here after her husband’s assassination. Princess Lee enjoyed the beach and recreational boat trips along the Sado River.
Late 1980s
- After the death of Count Roger Ernest in 1981, the property was purchased by urban developer António Xavier de Lima. He made several changes to the house, which had remained intact as originally designed by Raul Lino.
2009
- Following António Xavier de Lima's death, the property was passed to his heirs. The estate then fell into a period of neglect, leading to degradation and vandalism of the house.