 It survived the disastrous 1755 Lisbon earthquake that destroyed much of the city, but over time was abandoned as a residence and used as a warehouse.After a 20th-century renovation, it became the headquarters of the José Saramago Foundation and a location of the Museum of Lisbon.The historical record indicates that as of 1506, Afonso de Albuquerque, the first governor of Portuguese India, had buildings in the area, if not ownership of the lands.