Macieirinha Farm

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Porto > Porto > Porto > Vilar

Location:

Quinta da Macieirinha is located in the Vilar area of the city of Porto. This area, historically known for the pursuit of recreational farms since the 17th century, offers a distinct perspective on the city. From here, it is possible to enjoy unobstructed views of the Douro River and, in the distance, the sea, elements that characterize Porto's surroundings.

Historical Past and Nobility:

The history of Quinta da Macieirinha dates back to a time when the Massarelos area was a sought-after refuge for wealthy families and merchants, many of them foreigners, for their country houses. Originally a property of the Ferreira Pinto Basto family, influential merchants and industrialists of the city, the farm gained a prominent place in history in 1849. It was at this location that D. Carlos Alberto, King of Piedmont-Sardinia, spent his last days in exile, passing away in July of the same year. This fact confers undeniable symbolic value and a link to European history upon the farm.

The Museological Character:

In the mid-20th century, the property was acquired by the Porto City Council, with the intention of transforming it into a cultural space. The quinta's house was then carefully reconstituted to evoke the atmosphere of a 19th-century bourgeois dwelling, with period furniture and replicas of pieces that once composed it, seeking to recreate the rooms of the exiled king. More recently, the space has been evolving in its presentation, focusing on new museological interpretations that explore the relationship between humans and the natural world, through pieces from municipal collections, some of them never exhibited before, offering a renewed perspective on the life and interests of that era.

The Gardens of the Quinta:

Quinta da Macieirinha is complemented by its gardens, which offer an environment of serenity and natural beauty. Characterized by the presence of granite-sculpted fountains and imposing walls that delimit the property, the green spaces reveal a careful composition. Large trees, such as oaks and plane trees, stand out, among which is a magnificent hybrid specimen over a century old. The quinta is divided into two distinct terraces: one facing west, with a formal garden designed with boxwood and roses, and another, shadier, facing east, where camellias create picturesque avenues. These elements invite a peaceful and contemplative stroll.

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