Santo Antonino Estate

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Braga > Cabeceiras de Basto > Madanços > Refojos de Basto, Outeiro e Painzela

Location

Quinta de Santo Antonino is located in the village of Madanços, part of the union of parishes of Refojos de Basto, Outeiro, and Painzela, in the municipality of Cabeceiras de Basto. Its position, once more peripheral, is now situated in an urban context that developed around the old village. The quinta is set on a hillside, offering expansive panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, namely its own vineyards and the imposing Serra da Orada in the background.

A Centenary History

The roots of Quinta de Santo Antonino are deep, dating back to documentary references as early as the 13th century, specifically in the Afonsine Inquiries of 1220 and 1258. Although the main construction of the house observed today dates from the 16th century, its evolution is marked by significant expansions. In the 16th century, the property was expanded, benefiting from resources originating from India, and later, in the 18th century, new interventions were carried out with money from Brazil. The quinta remained, over centuries, in the possession of the same family, connected to historical figures such as the descendants of Egas Moniz and Fernando Velho, demonstrating remarkable continuity and family legacy.

The Architecture of the Manor House

The house of Quinta de Santo Antonino is a significant example of a manor residence that has been adapted and expanded over the centuries. From its medieval origins to the transformations of the 16th and 18th centuries, the building reflects different eras and influences, bearing witness to the evolution of residential quintas in Northern Portugal. Its structure and layout tell the story of a noble dwelling, shaped by the wealth and prestige of the families who inhabited it.

The Gardens and Cultivated Landscape

Quinta de Santo Antonino spans approximately 17 hectares, integrating a variety of green and agricultural spaces. The main entrance is via a centuries-old woodland, with trees of remarkable size that create a unique atmosphere. Next to the house, there is a small formal garden, characterized by boxwood hedges with geometric patterns and adorned with terracotta statuary, where rose bushes add color and fragrance. This garden also features a fountain with a rectangular basin, spout, and niche.

Laterally to the formal garden and on terraces, the vegetable gardens and a citrus orchard unfold, traversed by long paths bordered by boxwood. These spaces combine agricultural functionality with the aesthetics of Portuguese pleasure gardens. On lower levels, the vineyards extend, separated from the area closest to the house by a tall boxwood hedge, which conceals a viewpoint. Through the vegetable garden, a staircase leads to an inner courtyard surrounded by the house, where camellias stand out.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt