Oak House

Category: Civil Architecture > House

District: Porto > Amarante > Real

Location:

Casa do Carvalho (The Oak House) stands in the parish of Real, municipality of Amarante, in the district of Porto. Its slightly set-back position from the main road gives it the character of a tranquil retreat, surrounded by a patch of cork oaks and gentle pastures.

From the top of the slope, the Tâmega river valley can be seen to the south, while the village of Real, with its schist houses, stretches to the northwest, creating a harmonious setting between the manor house and the rural environment.

Historical Origin:

Erected at the beginning of the 17th century, Casa do Carvalho was commissioned by Abbot António Mendes de Vasconcelos, a clergyman who combined the role of parish priest of Avessadas with the administration of a small entailed estate. From 1645, it came to include a chapel dedicated to Saint Anthony, the patron saint of the parish.

Classified as a Property of Public Interest on February 26, 1982 (Decree 28/82, DR 47), Casa do Carvalho bears witness to the social and religious evolution of the region, from the formation of the entailed estate to the assertion of local nobility.

Architectural Structure:

The main plan is rectangular in shape, with two moderately sized floors. The facades, clean and proportionate, are punctuated by sash windows with curved lintels, typical of the Philippine reign.

In the 19th century, a quadrangular tower, with three floors, was added, which enhances its stately profile: over the flight of stairs, large windows open, giving rhythm to the massive volume. The contrast between the old body and the 19th-century addition highlights the architectural evolution over two hundred years.

Attached Chapel:

The small chapel, attached to the main body and facing east, is covered by a triangular pediment housing an oculus and a straight-lintelled portal. On the tympanum, a granite coat of arms appears, bearing witness to the Vasconcelos lineage, although the execution shows signs of erosion.

Inside, the restricted space retains traces of carved wood and Mudejar panels, evoking the Baroque taste that spread through the private chapels of the 17th-century entailed estates.

Elements of Interest:

Access is through a grand portal, crowned by a scroll pediment and decorated with a coat of arms stone. To the left is the staircase leading to the noble floor, while two lateral slits and an oculus provide natural light to the vestibule.

The materials, local schist and granite, harmonize with the trees surrounding the estate, lending the ensemble an impression of dignified austerity, typical of the manor houses of Douro Litoral.

Natural Surroundings:

The cork oak and oak trees surround the property, extending to the pastures and cultivated fields that make up the old estate. This natural setting provides a serene and cool environment, especially during the warmer months.

Around, the landscape alternates between agricultural terraces and patches of Mediterranean scrub, allowing one to contemplate the traditional rhythm of a region that lived in the shadow of small estates and parish churches.

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