Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House
District: Viseu > Sátão > Ferreira de Aves > Casfreires
The Solar dos Olivas, also known as Casa Grande de Casfreires or Casa dos Olivais, is located in the village of Casfreires, which belongs to the parish of Ferreira de Aves, in the municipality of Sátão. This manor stands out in the urban area of the village, situated in Largo da Igreja (Church Square), which highlights its integration into the historic and communal center.
Its imposing presence contributes to the local architectural landscape, offering a perspective on the organization of old noble houses within residential núcleos. Its location next to the church, where Marshal António de Oliva e Sousa de Sequeira is buried, underscores the profound historical connection of the property with the community's life and the families who inhabited it.
The history of Solar dos Olivas is rich and dates back centuries. The name "Casa Grande de Casfreires" or the old designation "Casa de Freires" originates from the Knights Hospitaller, who held lordship over this area in medieval times, particularly during the reign of D. Dinis. This connection evokes a past of great ecclesiastical and military importance in the region.
The property is intrinsically linked to the Oliva family, a lineage of great prestige and power that settled in the region in the 15th century. The enduring presence of this family on the property over the centuries left an indelible mark on the manor's identity, visible not only in its architecture but also in the historical memory of the locality.
The Solar dos Olivas presents itself as a remarkable example of Baroque architecture from the Beira region. Its current form is the result of a significant intervention carried out in the mid-18th century, which transformed an earlier construction, whose vestiges point to the 16th and 17th centuries.
Its facade exhibits details that attest to the quality of construction of the era, including a coat of arms symbolizing the status and influence of the family who owned it. The manor constitutes the main nucleus of a larger architectural complex, which once included spaces intended for "shops" and storage, reflecting the self-sufficiency and organization of the great noble houses of yesteryear.
The cultural and historical relevance of Solar dos Olivas is recognized by its classification as a Monument of Public Interest. This distinction, attributed in 2013, underlines the importance of preserving this manor as a testament to 18th-century residential architecture and the heritage of the Viseu Dão Lafões region.
The classification confers upon the manor a status of patrimonial value that makes it a point of interest for those who appreciate Portuguese history and architecture, inviting a close look at a well-preserved example of the Beiran noble residence.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.8201973,-7.6975944
Coordinates DMS: 40°49'12.7"N 07°41'51.3"W
Weather Ferreira de Aves
On-duty Pharmacy Ferreira de Aves
