House of the Seat

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Braga > Braga > Pousada

Location

Casa do Assento is located in Pousada, in the parish of Crespos e Pousada, within the municipality of Braga. Surrounded by typical historical streets, the house stands on a slight elevation, offering visitors a discreet perspective over the granite houses of the village.

The surroundings maintain the quietness of a rural settlement, with agricultural fields and small vegetable gardens nearby. The proximity to apple orchards and scattered vineyards adds an agricultural touch to the landscape setting.

Origin and Architecture

Erected in the 16th century as a noble manor house, Casa do Assento features a rectangular plan in rough granite, characteristic of the Minho region. Its prominent feature is the portal with a perfect arch, flanked by simple columns and topped by a discreet cornice.

In the early 18th century, the current 18th-century façade was added, visible in the window openings with carved stone frames and the heraldic plaque at the center. The side niches and the protruding eaves give it a slight Baroque tint, without losing its original sobriety.

Historical Value

The history of the building is linked to the local ecclesiastical hierarchy, having been initially leased around 1537 by the parish abbot to his son. Over several generations, it remained in the possession of prominent families, highlighting the house's role in the relations between the Church and the region's noble estates.

This manor house reflects the transition from direct ecclesiastical dominion to a bond with the Convento do Pópulo, in Braga, and then to private ownership, illustrating the social and religious evolution of Minho. The permanence of original elements reused over the centuries underlines the authenticity of the place.

Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casa_do_Assento