Exotic Curiosities, Maps and Artwork Acquired in Portugal during Cosimo III’s Second Journey through Europe

Abstract

In 1668-1669, the twenty-six-year-old Cosimo III de’ Medici, Prince of Tuscany, son of the Grand Duke Ferdinando II de’Medici, made an extended journey through Europe, visiting Spain, Portugal, England, Holland and France. The places he visited were important for cultural, artistic, religious, economic, military and political reasons and carefully selected to prepare the young Prince for becoming the next Grand Duke, a position he assumed scant months after returning. From Madrid and Seville he crossed the border to Portugal on 9 January 1669 where he visited Elvas, Vila Viçosa, Estremoz, Évora, Montemor-o-Novo, Setúbal and Aldeia Galega. He lingered in the court at Lisbon from 20 January to 18 February, where he enjoyed the collection of paintings of the Charles de Watteville, new ambassador of Spain.He continued his journey northward to Galicia and visited Vila Longa, Vila Franca de Xira, Cartaxo, Satarém, Golegã (Galegain), Tomar, Ansião (Asian), Coimbra, Mealhada, Sardão (Cerdam), Águeda, Oliveira de Azeméis (Olivera), Grijó, Porto, Moreira, Rates, Viana do Castelo and Caminha. He left the country behind forever on 1 March. His stay in Portugal lasted a total of fifty-two days, including his time first entering and finally departing on his way to Santiago de Compostela to reach his final port, A Coruña, where he took a boat to continue his journey in England. Those seven-and-a-half weeks represent enough time to sample Portugal’s culture and its historical heritage.