LINHARES DA BEIRA

Linhares da Beira, Guarda

The old Castle is a minimalist composition of walls and turrets, laid on top of a raw stone mass that overlooks Spain and protects the charming village around. Recent "improvements" have scarred its entry and passages, but from afar the granitic mass is still imposing in its exactitude. The hills around are used as a major paragliding spot.

STONE STEREOTOMY

Still in Peso da Régua, a fine detail of stereotomy in stone.
Private House, Peso da Régua

HAND PAINTED EXTERIOR WALL TILES

Private house, Peso da Régua

LIME PLASTER PAINTED ROOF

Quinta da Pacheca, Peso da Régua

WOOD AND METAL HOOK

Private House, Covas do Douro

BRASS PLUMB WEIGHT NO. 6

This is the last one, bought in a regular hardware store in Guarda. All other places are out. The top pin unscrews to open up the inside, filled with swarf.

STONE BRACKET

Private house in Passeio das Virtudes, Porto

ELECTRIC WIRING

Porto. Everytime you visit an old abandoned townhouse the electrical installation is similar: twisted silk wires and outward mounted bakelite switches (see bakelite, here) with ceramic fasteners holding the whole thing to the walls, casings, ceilings. When you can't conceal the little functional things, they have to be made beautiful.

BLACK AND WHITE DOME

 

View of the dome at Casa da Ínsua 18th century chapel.

Casa da Ínsua, Penalva do Castelo

MINCHIN - MADE IN PORTO

 

We tried to know more about the brand of this beautiful radiator with an integrated plate warmer, but still with no results. This heater, made in Porto, is apparently from the XIX century and was part of the central heating system at Casa da Ínsua. Out of curiosity, the heating system at this house was made with hot olive oil and grappa.

JEREMIE GIROD À PORTO

The amazing mechanism of the watch by Jeremie Girod at the Church of Casa da Ínsua.

Casa da Ínsua, Penalva do Castelo

PINHÃO, STEAM TRAIN

At the time of writing, this train still works as a tourism line. More information here.

CASA DA ÍNSUA

The Grand Salon.
This was preceded by the "Chinese Room" and the "Hall of Portraits", symbols of living in another era. Although the house dates from the 18th century, the main public rooms were decorated in the late 19th-early 20th centuries. The photo was taken a few days ago, but it could have easily been part of "Palm Beach Houses" or "Beaux-Arts Mansions". Nicola Bigaglia was responsible for the decoration.

CASA DA ÍNSUA

Stone rail, detail at main entrance

CASA DA ÍNSUA

We start 2012 with a visit to Casa da Ínsua, an 18th century house recently converted to a 5 star hotel. Located near Viseu, in the small village of Penalva do Castelo, it is definitely worth a visit. Casa da Ínsua, also known as Solar dos Albuquerques, was built in the second half of the 18th century by Luís de Albuquerque de Melo Pereira Cáceres, governor of Portugal in the State of Cuibá and Mato Grosso in Brasil. To learn more about the history of the house you can visit their website here.