Casa de Cerca, a contemporary art center – and a historic estate
Casa da Cerca – Centro de Arte Contemporânea is a contemporary art center and a botanic garden in the town of Almada. The location offers a stunning view across the Tagus estuary towards Lisbon. Last year Casa da Cerca – Centro de Arte Contemporânea celebrated its 30th year anniversary as a contemporary art center. On that occasion a retrospective exhibition was held, and a book on the history of Casa da Cerca as an art center was published. Landscape architect and researcher at the Lusiada University in Lisbon, Rodrigo Alves Rodrigues Dias however point out in his contribution for the book, that Casa da Cerca is not only a modern art center but also a historic site. Originally a noble rural villa the house and garden represent the rich cultural heritage of the Tagus estuary.
Research about the house and garden is ongoing, and documents of the 16th century and 19th century have proved, that the present garden and recreation areas were originally laid out as orchards and kitchen gardens with the purpose of producing table grapes for the British market.
In connection to the ongoing research the plan is to create events and workshops about farm products, thereby showing the rurality of Casa de Cerca and building a bridge to the surrounding urban environment – as well as reactivating the role of historic estates in the process.
For further information about the project contact Rodrigo Dias: rard16@hotmail.com
