Pilar was the late 18th century residence of Manuel Inácio de Souza Sarmento, a rich politician in the municipal council of Horta and property-owner.
He inherited from his father, brother and father-in-law a vast inheritance that he parlayed into property on the island, becoming a self-made millionaire in the process.
Unlike many of the many estates in the Azores, this manor did not have any ancillary buildings normally associated with agricultural activities.
It was conceived, along with many of the original structures, as a property of leisure, a residence with two floors with access directly to the main garden.
Much of the palacette was constructed to function with the natural landscape.
The two larger facades, oriented towards the south and east, were covered with windows giving views of Horta and Pico.
The building was encircled with artificial platforms, delimited by median walls that were at the time gardened, but today are mere pasture.
At the time, the mansion on Pilar was known for its library, considered more valuable then the libraries of the Franciscan friars of Horta, covered in wood brought back from Brazil and its ceiling encrusted with silver that imitated the heavens.
The construction of the property was made from material almost totally imported onto the island.
The house was decorated with mirrors, chandeliers, crystal and porcelain.
Its well-manicured garden included laneways lined with exotic plants and marble pool.

The home was the site of elegant parties and formal receptions, as well as meetings of intellectuals, family members and the high-society of Horta.
Sarmento kept to his nest on Lomba, and only ventured out to the city in his golden litter and always with an attendant by his side.

At the time of his death, the legendary patrimony was divided between his unscrupulous descendants.
The ornate woods, windows, doors and decorations were all sold (even the marble pool was carted-off to personal residence in São Miguel) and in a few years, all had been lost by his successors.

Dr. Antônio Severino de Avelar bought and recuperated what remained of the property, which was later inherited by his son-in-law, the Viscount of Leite Perry.

Sometime in the 20th century, the abandoned structure was engulfed in flames, and the remainder of its floors were destroyed; there are still obvious remnants of the fire that burned down the two-storey building, leaving behind charred walls, flaked plaster and burnt beams.

The Palacete, along with the nearby Hermitage of Pilar were designated as components of a group of architectonic features whose preservation was important to the city of Horta, by the Regional Government of the Azores on 16 April 2010, as part of the Urbanization plan.
Pilar was the late 18th century residence of Manuel Inácio de Souza Sarmento, a rich politician in the municipal council of Horta and property-owner. He inherited from his father, brother and father-in-law a vast inheritance that he parlayed into property on the island, becoming a self-made millionaire in the process. Unlike many of the many estates in the Azores, this manor did not have any ancillary buildings normally associated with agricultural activities. It was conceived, along with many of the original structures, as a property of leisure, a residence with two floors with access directly to the main garden. Much of the palacette was constructed to function with the natural landscape. The two larger facades, oriented towards the south and east, were covered with windows giving views of Horta and Pico. The building was encircled with artificial platforms, delimited by median walls that were at the time gardened, but today are mere pasture. At the time, the mansion on Pilar was known for its library, considered more valuable then the libraries of the Franciscan friars of Horta, covered in wood brought back from Brazil and its ceiling encrusted with silver that imitated the heavens. The construction of the property was made from material almost totally imported onto the island. The house was decorated with mirrors, chandeliers, crystal and porcelain. Its well-manicured garden included laneways lined with exotic plants and marble pool.
The home was the site of elegant parties and formal receptions, as well as meetings of intellectuals, family members and the high-society of Horta. Sarmento kept to his nest on Lomba, and only ventured out to the city in his golden litter and always with an attendant by his side.
At the time of his death, the legendary patrimony was divided between his unscrupulous descendants. The ornate woods, windows, doors and decorations were all sold (even the marble pool was carted-off to personal residence in São Miguel) and in a few years, all had been lost by his successors.
Dr. Antônio Severino de Avelar bought and recuperated what remained of the property, which was later inherited by his son-in-law, the Viscount of Leite Perry.
Sometime in the 20th century, the abandoned structure was engulfed in flames, and the remainder of its floors were destroyed; there are still obvious remnants of the fire that burned down the two-storey building, leaving behind charred walls, flaked plaster and burnt beams.
The Palacete, along with the nearby Hermitage of Pilar were designated as components of a group of architectonic features whose preservation was important to the city of Horta, by the Regional Government of the Azores on 16 April 2010, as part of the Urbanization plan.
Palacete do Pilar