Stepping into the Fundação Ricardo do Espírito Santo Silva (FRESS) Azurara 16th century palace is a historical voyage to discover the richness of ancestral Portuguese decorative arts and crafts. The mastery of woodcarving and cabinetmaking is evident in the woodwork workshop. The metalwork workshop is unique with its ancestral sand-casting technique of brass and bronze, refined chiselling of tinwork and delicate application of gold leaf by a master gold beater. The decoration and book binding workshop are one of the few remaining in Europe while the decorative painting atelier uses rare processes with fine burnished gold and silver plating.

Passementerie artisans make trimmings from silk, gold, silver and cotton but also traditional arraiolo rugs while also conserving and restoring delicate textiles such as embroideries. FRESS also runs the museum next door which houses the important art collection donated by its founder. The FRESS school of arts and crafts is renowned for providing certified training to ensure ancestral skills and know-how are passed on to future generations.