Curutelo Manor

Category: Civil Architecture > Palace

District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte de Lima > Curutelo > Ardegão, Freixo e Mato

Location

The Curutelo Manor is located in Curutelo, an area of the civil parish of Ardegão, Freixo and Mato, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima. This place is characterized by a rural setting, blending harmoniously into the Minho landscape. It is situated halfway up Mount São Cristóvão dos Milagres, offering a view over a small valley and surrounded by a wooded area.

History and Trajectory

Also known as Curutelo Castle, this imposing castle-like manor house has a history dating back centuries. The first documentary reference to the Curutelo estate dates from 1395, linked to an entail established by Nuno Viegas and D. Inês Dias do Rego, and later confirmed by King John I. Although the exact date of its construction is debated among historians (with some theories pointing to origins as far back as the 9th or 11th century), it is known that by 1532 the property already included "house, tower and castle".

Over time, the Manor passed through the hands of various noble families and fidalgos, witnessing important architectural transformations. In 1867, for example, the tower underwent modernization works that introduced new doors and windows. Its historical and architectural relevance was officially recognized in 1977, when the Curutelo Manor was classified as a Property of Public Interest.

Architecture and Environment

The architecture of the Curutelo Manor reflects its long history and the transition from a noble house to a structure with fortification aspects. The main building, with a rectangular plan and a single storey, stands out for its central tower, which rises higher than the other constructions. Its stepped volumes, crowned by pyramidal merlons, give it a distinct castellated appearance. The elevations feature straight-lintel openings and sash windows, some with decorated jambs, and circular gargoyles that punctuate the façades in exposed granite masonry.

The complex is surrounded by a high wall, partly covered by ivy, with a straight-lintel access gate near the road. Adjacent to and on a slightly lower level than the manor house, there is a small rectangular-plan chapel, dedicated to Saint Amaro. This chapel, also partly covered by ivy, presents a simple façade with a door, narrow openings, and a small bell-gable. Inside, it is possible to observe a high choir and a carved altarpiece, elements that enrich its patrimonial and spiritual value.

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