QUINTA DE SANTO ANTÓNIO - SÁ, MONÇÃO

Close to the Peneda-Gerês National Park, this farm was bought by a Brazilian emigrant and renovated in the 19thcentury, adapted from a spinning room and bakery. This charming historic manor house benefits from a fantastic sun light exposure and it is ideally located to those who wish to experience the luxury of spas in the nearby area of Monção and Melgaço.

The kindness and hospitality of its current owners are a guarantee of a pleasant stay. This manor house produces homemade traditional biscuits, jams and liqueurs of outstanding quality.

Relax on the pool-side terrace with its spectacular view, and watch the sun slip slowly behind the distant mountains. Close to Monção, Melgaço, and the Minho river, Quinta de Santo António allows guests to discover this rural region.

Accomodation

  • 1 x Apt. x3 - From 120.00€ / night
  • 1 x Apt. x4 - From 150.00€ / night
  • 5 x Apt. x2 - From 98.00€ / night

Features

  • Bar
  • Snooker table
  • Parking
  • Speak Spanish
  • Speak French
  • Speak English
  • Gardens
  • walking
  • Breakfast Not Included
  • Swimming Pool
  • Meals on request
  • Cards room
  • Conference room
  • Thermal baths

Location

Lugar de Albergaria - Sá

181 CC

This beautiful rustic house was bought by a Brazilian emigrant and adapted from a weaving room and bakery and renovated in the 19th century. Close to the Peneda-Gêres National Park, it has spectacular views to the mountains. There is a swimming pool and the luxury of spas in the nearby area of Monção and Melgaço.

In Solares de Portugal The art of good living , Edições INAPA, 2007

HISTORY

In 1748, a money changer called António Luís Marques I lived in an old house in the estate of Quinta de Santo António. On his many business trips to Spain, he became acquainted with a beautiful young girl, Maria Antónia, who he invited to work as a maid on his estate.

Maria Antónia developed a certain dedication to António Luís Marques II, the money-changer's son, waiting up for him to open the door when he had been out very late, so as to escape his parent's condemnation. One day, much to the money-changer's horror, Maria Antónia announced she was pregnant. The pregnancy and the child were hidden from the public, and the baby girl given to a foster mother. She was named Maria da Conceição.

António Luís Marques II's relationship with Maria Antónia had now deteriorated. When António Luís Marques II was 22, he developed tuberculosis and became very ill. Maria Antónia went quickly to register her child under her father's name. She was now 2 year old, and by law, the only heiress to the dying man.

António Luís Marques II died shortly after, and another shock awaited everyone - Maria Antónia was pregnant again. This time, the money-changer did not try to cover up the pregnancy as the death of their son took with him the fear of what society would think or say.

The second child, a boy, was not considered the son of António Luís Marques II as he was born after his death. Thus, the little girl was considered as his heiress, and joined her mother at the house she had inherited. The son, António Luís Marques III, emigrated to Brazil, but upon his return in 1886 he bought the house from his sister, demolished it and built Quinta de Santo António on the foundations.