Category: Civil Architecture > House
District: Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Meadela
Casa Grande da Meadela is located in the Meadela area, a peri-urban zone in the city of Viana do Castelo. The building stands on a corner plot, with its main facade facing the street, creating a direct and accessible environment. At the rear, the property extends into a vast walled garden, providing a space of greater privacy and tranquility. The presence of medium and large trees along the wall contributes to the traditional and serene setting of the place.
Built in the 19th century, Casa Grande da Meadela represents a remarkable example of Portuguese civil architecture from that period. Its design combines traditional construction elements with the sobriety and clean lines of the Neoclassical style, which had a great influence in Europe. The house, with a rectangular plan, is distinguished by its imposing central mansard that projects over the roof, giving it a particular volume and a striking presence in the Meadela landscape.
The building features two-story facades, framed by robust granite masonry elements, such as the plinth, quoins, and cornices. The fenestration is regular, though with a slight asymmetry, and includes French windows and ornate balconies with wrought-iron balustrades, which alternate with sill-level openings. The frames of the openings deserve attention, notably the three-sash windows and doors with fanlights, which contribute to the aesthetic and monumental character of the ensemble. On the rear facade, there is a closed balcony on the second floor, which was once open, and a central staircase descending towards the garden.
At the rear of Casa Grande da Meadela, a spacious landscaped area extends, composed of extensive lawns and meticulously delineated boxwood hedges, creating an environment of serenity and natural beauty. In addition to the green spaces, the property maintains elements that recall its rural past, such as a granite slab threshing floor. This space, situated between the garden and some single-story annexes that once served as agricultural support, offers a perspective on the original use of the estate.
The history of Casa Grande da Meadela is rich in events, including its occupation during the Second French Invasion in 1809. Although the exterior of the building retains its integrity, the interior has undergone significant interventions over time, particularly in the mid-19th century and the 1960s. Despite the remodels, elements such as a 19th-century staircase, whose walls are covered in marbled scagliola, and an unusual room, dedicated to personal hygiene on the east facade, which stood out for its innovations, such as an ingenious water heating system, can still be observed.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.7068644,-8.8063072
Coordinates DMS: 41°42'24.7"N 08°48'22.7"W
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