Category: Civil Architecture > Manor House
District: Viseu > Moimenta da Beira > Sarzedo
The Manor House of São Domingos do Sarzedo, also known as Solar do Sarzedo, is located in the tranquil village of Sarzedo, in the municipality of Moimenta da Beira, Viseu district. Its position, visible at the entrance to the village, makes a striking first impression. Surrounded by vast agricultural lands, the building integrates harmoniously into the region's rural landscape, offering a glimpse into the stately life of yesteryear in the heart of Portugal.
This remarkable historic building, classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1982, is a testament to the architectural and social richness of the region. Its initial construction dates back to 1523, on the initiative of Domingos Álvares Machado, a prominent figure as auditor to the 4th Count of Marialva. Since its foundation, the manor house has remained in the possession of the same family and its descendants, which contributes to its authenticity and the preservation of a continuous history over several centuries.
The Manor House of Sarzedo stands out for its multi-body composition, revealing various phases of construction and remodeling. The main façade, facing west, features a division into two sections of unequal width, marked by pilasters that confer elegance. The main portal, adorned with an ornate lintel and an upper cornice, is a prominent element. Decorative mouldings are also visible, and on the south façade, a balcony with wrought iron railings supported by Baroque corbels. The details in the stonework and the presence of a large stone cross with a calvary on the main façade underscore the attention to detail and the fusion of styles over time, culminating in an extensive renovation completed in 1724.
Inside the manor house, elements persist that evoke the grandeur and daily life of its era. The main hall staircase impresses with its volute handrail and a stone balcony in Baroque style. The wooden ceilings, crafted into ornate coffers, are particularly noteworthy, with one displaying the date of 1724, marking the completion of one of the most significant construction campaigns. The kitchen, with its flagstone floor, stands out for its imposing fireplace supported by columns and a large stone table, illustrating the functionality and ambiance of the service rooms.
Integrated into the complex, but with its own identity, the manor house chapel is dedicated to Saint Dominic. It rises to the east, connected to the annex body by a walkway supported by arches. Its main façade, with a broken semicircular pediment of Mannerist inspiration and a family coat of arms crowning the reverse-curved gable, displays a distinctly Baroque character. Inside, the richness of the heritage is evident in the Joanine gilded altarpiece, which houses the image of the patron saint, and in the painted coffered ceilings, both in the chapel and in the sacristy, where scenes from the life of the Virgin and Saints are depicted, enveloped in profuse Baroque decoration.
In addition to the main building and the chapel, the Manor House of Sarzedo includes a small courtyard with a lean-to supported by stone pillars. The Baroque gardens, arranged in a succession of ponds and boxwood-designed flowerbeds, invite a tranquil stroll. These outdoor spaces, together with the extensive agricultural lands surrounding the property, complement the visiting experience, revealing an environment that combines the nobility of the architecture with the serenity of Moimenta da Beira's rural nature.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.01185043,-7.66594619
Coordinates DMS: 41°00'42.7"N 07°39'57.4"W
Weather Sarzedo
On-duty Pharmacy Sarzedo
