Mateus Palace - details and images
Mateus Palace is a Baroque residence located in the village of Mateus, a few kilometres from Vila Real. The present building was constructed during the first half of the 18th century for António José Botelho Mourão, a member of the Sousa Botelho family. The design is attributed to Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, who worked on numerous buildings in Porto and northern Portugal. The palace remained in the possession of the same family for several generations and is now used both as a residence and for cultural activities and visits.
The building is constructed mainly from granite and has a symmetrical façade organised around a central entrance. Exterior staircases, balustrades, pediments and carved decoration are typical of Portuguese Baroque architecture from the 18th century. Inside are reception rooms, living areas and formal spaces furnished with historic furniture, paintings, decorative objects and wooden ceilings. The library contains books and documents collected by the family, while other rooms display objects connected with daily life at the estate.
The gardens form an important part of the visit and are arranged in geometric sections with clipped hedges, paths and carefully maintained trees. A reflecting pool stands in front of the palace, while other parts of the estate contain orchards, mature trees and vineyards. A chapel built in the same general architectural style is located close to the main residence and forms part of the historic complex.
The name Mateus is also widely known because of Mateus Rosé wine, introduced during the 20th century. An image of the palace appears on the bottle label, although the wine is not produced inside the palace and is not owned by the family that holds the estate. The use of the building's image helped make the Mateus name internationally recognisable.
Visits are organised through different routes, with access to some rooms available on guided tours. The gardens can also be explored separately, while the estate is periodically used for concerts, exhibitions and other cultural events. Its location close to Vila Real makes it easy to include in a wider route through northern Portugal and the Douro wine region.
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