Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House
District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte de Lima > Refóios do Lima
Situated in the tranquil locality of Refóios do Lima, in the municipality of Ponte de Lima, Casa da Boavista harmoniously rises on a hillside. Its elevated position allows for a particular emphasis on the surrounding landscape, offering a stunning view of the winding Lima River valley, a characteristic that inspired the name of the place. It is a rural setting, marked by agricultural fields and vineyards, where the architecture integrates in a balanced way with the natural environment.
Access to the property is via a full-arch gate, adorned with a coat of arms, which guides visitors through the fields. This path, flanked by notable lime trees, culminates in a central courtyard and a garden, providing a gradual transition to the atmosphere of this manor house.
Casa da Boavista is a remarkable example of Mannerist residential architecture, with origins dating back to the late 17th century. Its building features a two-story rectangular plan, where the sobriety of the lines is highlighted by the contrast between the yellow-colored rendering and the exposed granite elements. The ground floor, once intended for service functions, is distinct from the upper section, the noble floor, which held social prominence. Access to the latter is gained via a distinctive staircase that culminates in a terrace, adorned with carved stone volutes and four statues at its corners, giving it a particular elegance.
On the longest facade, facing south, there is an attached private chapel, with architecture marked by pilasters supporting a triangular pediment, crowned by pinnacles and a cross. In its straight-lintel portal, a niche displays the image of Saint Anthony, although the chapel is dedicated to Our Lady of Conception. The balconied windows with iron railings are regularly distributed across the noble floor, contributing to the classical aesthetic of the ensemble.
The exterior spaces of Casa da Boavista complement the architectural beauty of the manor. In front of the chapel, a formal boxwood garden, designed by Gaspar de Queiroz Ribeiro de Sottomayor Vaz Pinto, from the very family that owns the house, invites contemplation. This garden, with its camellias and a central circular fountain with a jet, is an example of the passion for landscape and the art of gardens. The main courtyard, in turn, features a fountain dated 1793, with gargoyle-shaped spouts and a square tank, a decorative and functional element that reflects the daily life of the farm. In addition to the more formal spaces, the property includes traditional agricultural areas, such as a threshing floor, a long granary, and pigsties, which highlight its connection to the land and rural activities.
Casa da Boavista was commissioned by Gabriel de Freitas Malheiro de Araújo in the late 17th century, and its history is intimately linked to the family that founded it. In the early 18th century, his son Diogo de Gouveia Coutinho e Castro instituted the entail of Our Lady of Conception on the property. Casa da Boavista has been a cultural reference point, being linked to the figure of the Count of Santa Eulália, Aleixo de Queirós Sottomaior de Almeida e Vasconcelos, who was born here and inspired literary works. Its historical and architectural relevance is recognized, having been classified as a Property of Municipal Interest in 1977, safeguarding its preservation as part of the region's cultural heritage.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.79265568,-8.55422262
Coordinates DMS: 41°47'33.6"N 08°33'15.2"W
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