Group Pestana decided to make the first hotel in Europe that will have its own art district. The name of the hotel that will get such an honour is already revealed Pousada Cascais. Once the art district is ready, the hotel will also change its name and will be called Pousada Cascais Cidadela Historic & Art District. The hotel company will really try to do its best to use as much of the Citadel’s space as possible the new art district will have six galleries and six open studios. Moreover, it will have the first “raw art” gallery in the country. The hotelier reports that in addition to that the art district will have six more rooms that will be created by resident artists. When guests enter the hotel, they will meet an art concierge who will tell visitors about ongoing exhibitions and performances. Group Pestana promises that there will be ongoing installations in the district and in the hotel on a non-stop basis.
The new district may quickly become a true Mecca for all art lovers. The Cidadela Art District will have six simultaneous shows on bimonthly basis and three concerts on annual basis. The artistic program will be run by Sandro Resende (P28). The hotel company has already revealed names of first resident artists. These will be Paulo Brighenti, Duarte Amaral Netto, Susana Anagua, Paulo Arraiano, Bruno Pereira and Pedro Matos.
The Cidadela de Cascais is an area located in the Nossa Sanhora da Luz Fortress that many years ago was the summer home of the Portuguese royal family. The building was restored by architects David Sinclair and Goncalo Byrne and was officially inaugurated as the Cidadela de Cascais in April 2012.