Palácio de Mateus

The “Casa de Mateus” building, also known as “Palácio de Mateus”, was built during the first half of the 18th century by the third Morgado Mateus, António José Botelho Mourão, and was completed in 1750. It is located in the parish of Mateus, one of the municipalities of Vila Real, about ~5km from the city centre.

This house replaced an old building that had stood on the same site since the 17th century. Reliable sources tell us that in 1577 there were already members of the family living there, such as Cristóvão Álvares and his wife.

The Casa de Mateus building is considered one of the most representative monuments of the Baroque style in northern Portugal and one of the most characteristic in Europe, having been classified as a national monument in 1910. The present traces of the Baroque style can be seen in the decorative pinnacles on the roofs and on the façades of the house.

In April 1961, on the initiative of D. Francisco Albuquerque, 6th Count of Vila Real, the Casa de Mateus was opened to the public for the first time, presenting an exhibition of its documentary collection, currently deposited in the Casa’s Archives.

The aim of this opening was to conserve, restore and improve the site, as well as to study and publicise the archive and promote cultural, scientific and educational events that were later defined and developed.

Inside the house is a library with approximately 6,000 volumes, including the famous illustrated edition of “Os Lusíadas” written by Luís de Camões in 1816. In the rest of the house’s rooms you can see period furniture, carpets, crockery, costumes and relics.

At the same time as all this, a series of refurbishments have been carried out throughout the house and outbuildings over the years, leading to the creation of infrastructures to support activities, as well as, in 1998, the inauguration of the Artists’ Residence (built by remodelling and extending the old olive oil mill and distillery).

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Address: Casa de Mateus, 5000-291 Vila Real

Website: casademateus.com

Telephone: 259 323 121

Price: Entrance to the gardens: €4.50 / Entrance to Gardens + Palace: €7.50*

*Price subject to change by the organisation.