Paço da Torre

Paço was rebuilt to be a house with all the comforts of modern life, with spacious halls and rooms and good quality construction materials and furniture. All rooms have private bathroom and satelite TV. In every room there is free access to wireless internet (ADSL)

Paço da Torre de Figueiredo das Donas is a manor house whose precise origin is not well established, but known to have existed in the fifteenth century with a rich history. It is also linked to place and home to a legend which bore the name de Figueiredo das Donas and construction of the Palace have their origin in the action narrated in it.

The initial construction according to several authors can be traced back to Roman times (rustic Roman Villa), citing among others the proximity of the thermal spa of S. Pedro do Sul, ancient Roman bath, as proven during archaeological excavations at the local level, and proximity to the Roman road from Braga to Merida, which is about 200 meters from the house, which shows this area a good state of repair. However, the Palace as it was in 2008, was an overlap of buildings that were running over several periods, it can be said that the predominant style is the style “floor” Portuguese Baroque. With the decline of the landed gentry came into disrepair for decades and which was uninhabited, in advanced state of disrepair and was subject to successive drafts.

In 2006 it was acquired by current owners, who immediately began the process of rebuilding the noble part of the house and chapel, using the services of Architect Elisa Rebelo, which has at times had proceeded to study the origin and architecture of it. In the recovery process it has been used the original material on the site in terms of the masonry of granite for the reconstruction of solid and thick walls, like the friezes and stone loveseats doors and windows, closely following the original design. Introduced, however, some elements necessary for the comfort of modern life, in particular, were generously extended some original windows and porches built on the north wall suspended, to allow residents to admire the spectacular scenery on the north and west on the Vouga River valley and the mountains of Freitas, Arada, of St. Macarius and Montemuro, a 180º horizon that can go beyond 20 kms of reach.

The house is set in a walled farm with 23 000 square meters, part of which occupied by an oak forest, the remainder being devoted to the cultivation of vegetables and fruit production, both organic, for home consumption. A curious peculiarity of the farm is the existence of a huge quantity of bayberry bushes, some large, that arise spontaneously in various places.