Casa das Historias Paula Rego in Cascais, Portugal

BGTW member Stuart Forster describes a new art gallery near Lisbon. He proposed it for the BGTW Tourism Awards; it didn't make it to the finals, but here's what he finds special about it:

The Casa das Historias Paula Rego, meaning ‘Paula Rego Houses of Stories’, is an eye-catching red building in the town of Cascais, just 20 miles (30km) from the Portuguese capital. Since opening, on 18 September 2009, it has won a reputation as a leading centre for the display and appreciation of contemporary art.

The Casa das Historias Paula Rego is named after the artist Dame Paula Rego, who holds British citizenship but was born in Lisbon. It holds a collection of works by Dame Paula and Victor Willing, her late husband. Temporary exhibitions, featuring works by other leading artists, are also held here.

The building has quickly become accepted as a local landmark and was designed by the Portuguese architect Eduardo Souto de Moura, who was awarded the 2011 Pritzker Architecture Prize, regarded as the world’s most prestigious award for architectural achievement. The design of the building is distinctly contemporary but it has two towers that echo the architectural heritage of this region. They reference the twin chimneys of the National Palace, in Sintra, and the open space within the chimney in the kitchen of the monastery of Alcobaça.

The Casa das Historias Paula Rego is a first class exhibition space. The minimalistic interiors are characterised by high ceilings, white walls and even lighting which help to create a sense of space and serenity. This is a great venue for viewing paintings, sketches, etchings and drawings, as 125,000 visitors a year have discovered.

I think it’s admirable that the Casa das Historias Paula Rego makes an effort to widen the appeal of modern and contemporary art. Entry is free of charge and English language tours can be arranged.

The attraction is open every day from 10am to 7pm and you can find out more at www.casadahistoriaspaularego.com