Quinta de Santo António

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Santarém > Santarém > Vale de Santarém > Quinta de Santo António

Location

Quinta de Santo António is located in the village of Vale de Santarém, in the municipality of Santarém. Its setting is rural and isolated, with the property delimited by a road and flanked by vast agricultural lands. This position gives the place an atmosphere of tranquility and an authentic connection to the surrounding Ribatejo landscape.

An Architectural Legacy from the 18th Century

With its roots in the 18th century, Quinta de Santo António is a remarkable example of manorial residential and agricultural architecture from that era. The construction of the main house dates back to 1735, initiated by Count Caldeira de Mendanha. Over the centuries, this property has retained much of its original character, reflecting the importance and traditions of rural and noble life in the region.

The Noble House and Its Details

The main residence of the quinta features an irregular rectangular plan, composed of a single volume and various roofs with two, three, and four slopes, which give it a distinctive profile. One of its most striking features is the large and elevated belvedere, which stands out above the central body. The two floors of the house are adorned with rectilinear openings, framed by stonework. On the façade, above the right-hand section, a raised and curved cornice frames a coat of arms, evoking the lineage of the Mendanha, Caldeira, and Almeida families, highlighting the history and prestige of its former owners.

The Private Chapel

Harmoniously integrated into the central body of the house, the chapel of Quinta de Santo António constitutes a particular point of interest. Its straight lintel portal is richly ornamented with ample moldings and pilasters with plain shafts, topped by Corinthian-inspired capitals, culminating in a frieze and cornice. At the top, a coat of arms, quartered with the escutcheons of the Mendanha, Caldeira, and Almeida families, reinforces its historical and symbolic dimension. The interior of the chapel holds a pulpit on the Gospel side and a perfect round arch, supported by pilasters with classic-inspired quoining. On the pavement, the presence of several graves creates an atmosphere of deep reverence and testimony to the past.

Traces of Rural Activity

In addition to the residential and religious buildings, Quinta de Santo António preserves elements that tell the story of its former agricultural vocation. It is possible to observe structures such as a wine press and a grain mill, remnants of the rural activity that shaped the life of these large estates over the centuries. These elements offer an authentic perspective on the production methods and daily agricultural life of yesteryear, enriching the experience of those who visit the site.

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