Category: Civil Architecture > House
District: Viana do Castelo > Viana do Castelo > Neves
Located in the village of Neves, in the municipality of Viana do Castelo, Casa da Torre das Neves presents itself in an urban setting, yet with an isolated and harmonious implantation. Its original plot, a former farm, is crossed by a road, and the house stands in front of other village buildings. The immediate surroundings of the property, particularly at the end of the estate's old woodland, also reveal a gate leading to a square where the parish church stands, built in 1907 to replace the primitive hermitage of Nossa Senhora das Neves (Our Lady of the Snows).
This remarkable Minho manor house, also known as Casa da Torre de Nossa Senhora das Neves (House of the Tower of Our Lady of the Snows), is classified as a Property of Public Interest, attesting to its historical and architectural value. Its construction dates back to the first half of the 16th century, the Renaissance period, and was an initiative of João Pires Ramalho, a man who brought fortune from Brazil. In 1554, through his will, João Pires Ramalho established an entail associated with the hermitage of Nossa Senhora das Neves, built by him and where he expressed the wish to be buried, thus inextricably linking the house's name to Marian devotion. Over the centuries, the property passed through various hands, notably the Barreto family, whose coats of arms still adorn the main gate, perpetuating their legacy.
Casa da Torre das Neves is a classic example of the tower-house typology, a medieval architectural tradition. The building has an L-shaped plan, with one of its oldest cores, from the 16th century, integrating the main residential wing and an imposing quadrangular tower in one of its corners. Although the tower was rebuilt in the late 19th century, after it had collapsed, the complex maintains a remarkable stylistic sobriety, reflecting its original design. The entire structure is mostly built of granite, and its roofs are hipped. Outside, a paved courtyard stands out, along with a high wall surrounding the property, crowned by chamfered merlons and featuring continuous stone benches leaning against it. The main gate, with a straight arch, is noteworthy for its quartered coats of arms displaying the blazons of the Barbosas, Farias, and Barreto families.
As the central and most distinctive element of the complex, the tower stands out for its height and robustness. Its walls, like the rest of the manor, are made of solid granite. It features sash windows, harmonizing with those of the residential wings, and its roof is topped over the cornerstones by spheres resting on plinths, a detail that adds elegance to its silhouette. Although the tower underwent a significant reconstruction in the 19th century, the care taken to preserve the essence of the original 16th-century design is evident, allowing Casa da Torre das Neves to continue dominating the landscape with its historical and imposing presence.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.653449,-8.719353
Coordinates DMS: 41°39'12.4"N 08°43'9.7"W
Weather Neves
On-duty Pharmacy Neves
