About the Estate:

This historical estate has its origins back in the 10th century, and it’s older than the foundation of the Kingdom of Portugal.

This old Monastery it’s in perfect condition and it was converted into one of the most exclusive private residences in the country. The Monastery, the several constructions in the property,  the expansive plot, amazing views, direct river access (500 meters of private riverfront approximately), and natural beauty of the region grant this estate of an unparallel potential.

Monastery (Santa Maria Vila Boa do Bispo) 35 hectares plot.

Ground floor:
The cloister, 1 original kitchen from the time, 1 fully equipped kitchen for events, dining room with bar, separate bathrooms for ladies and gentlemen, Living room, waiting room, Original dining room used by the monks/priests of the time.

1st floor:
13 rooms suites (7 completed), 1 dining room, 1 kitchen with living room, 1 living room, 1 office with 2 rooms, 2 lounges with elevator access, private room with access to the church.

Outside:
3 Gardens, Parking / Garages, Hall for events, Hall for events on the ground floor unfinished, House to recover with Espigueiro, Storage.

This Monastery property has 18 hectares of the area with walls of 4 meters and a video surveillance system throughout the property.

The adjacent property has 17 hectares down to the river (500 meters of private riverfront approximately). This land has 9 houses for reconstruction (some of them already in process) and with an approved project for the construction of new villas. The property has a lake and a waterfall.

Location:

Marco de Canaveses is a Portuguese city in the Porto district.

Located on a slope on the left bank of the Tâmega, Vila Boa do Bispo impresses with its monumentality. These dimensions can be explained by the importance it held throughout the medieval and modern periods, highlighting the attention paid to it by the lordship, namely the Gascos (or Ribadouros) lineage.

Although profoundly altered in the modern period, the Romanesque remains help to understand the historical richness of this Monastery.

On the main façade, the two blind arches that flank the portal stand out, which are very original and feature a characteristic composition of the Romanesque style of the Braga-Rates axis.

These elements and others scattered throughout the structure place the Romanesque construction of Vila Boa do Bispo between the 12th and 13th centuries.

It is likely that, given the existence of buttresses, the original chancel was square and vaulted.

Another element that recalls the medieval construction and the connection to the region's nobility are the surviving tombs that point to burials throughout the 13th and 14th centuries.

The interior is marked by the baroque spirit, which through various techniques and materials created a particularly monumental and luminous space.

Distances:

The City of Marco de Canaveses is located 56 km away from Porto and 58 km (40 minutes by car) from Porto's International Airport.

History:

The Monastery of Vila Boa do Bispo, classified as a National Monument since 1977. Located on a slope on the left bank of the Tâmega, Vila Boa do Bispo impresses with its monumentality. These dimensions can be explained by the importance it held throughout the medieval and modern periods, highlighting the attention paid to it by the lordship, namely the Gascos (or Ribadouros) lineage. 

Although profoundly altered in the modern period, the Romanesque remains help to understand the historical richness of this Monastery. On the main façade, the two blind arches that flank the portal stand out, which are very original and feature a characteristic composition of the Romanesque style of the Braga-Rates axis. These elements and others scattered throughout the structure place the Romanesque construction of Vila Boa do Bispo between the 12th and 13th centuries the interior is marked by the baroque spirit, which through various techniques and materials created a particularly monumental and luminous space. Under the coffered ceilings of the chancel, a set of mural paintings from the 16th century was identified, showing the culture of the Canons Regular of St. Augustine.

The origins of the monastery of Vila Boa do Bispo go back to the last years of the 10th century or the early years of the following century. 

Until the second half of the 12th century, the history of this monastery is shrouded in legends and dubious attributions

The church that remains today dates from the end of the 12th century or the beginning of the following, like a large part of our Romanesque style. 

About Marco de Canaveses:

The city of Marco Canaveses is strongly influenced by its topography, with main areas at altitudes between 200 and 600 meters, reaching the highest levels in Aboboreira and Montedeiras Mountains. The region is also traversed by two of the most important Portuguese rivers, the Douro river, and the Tâmega river. The Douro, reaching from "Trás-os-Montes" region (interior north of Portugal), east to west course, limits the county to the south, separating it from the municipalities of Cinfães and Castelo de Paiva. The Tâmega, north to south course, limits much of the County to the west, separating it from the Municipality of Penafiel.

About Porto:

Capital and gateway to the north of Portugal, Porto is both the city that provided a nation with a name and a fortified wine known worldwide: port.

Northern Portugal, widely regarded as the driver of the Portuguese economy. Entrepreneurship and technology allow Porto to be considered as one of Europe’s main start-up hubs, with a growing number of technological companies choosing Porto for their headquarters, not only because of easy access to skilled labour, but also for the city’s good access routes and available facilities.

With its splendid geographical location on the mouth of the river Douro and architectural heritage of exceptional quality, the historic center of Porto was declared UNESCO World Heritage in 1996. Porto is the capital of the North and the second-largest city in the country; its hard-working inhabitants are noted for their commercial enterprise, always standing firm against outside impositions and foreign invaders, which explains why Porto has become known as the «unvanquished» city.

In addition to its history, any visitor to Porto will be quickly impressed by the forceful character both of the city and its inhabitants.

If you want to get to know the city better, we recommend a gentle stroll through its streets, taking time to admire the typical granite houses and monuments, enjoying a tram ride along the banks of the river, or even going for a boat ride under the city ́s six bridges, from where you can enjoy an entirely different view of the city. These itineraries seek to demonstrate the impressive contrasts this city has to offer. The "Baixa (Downtown)" of Porto, with all the rhythms of city life, its movement, and intense retailing. There is a very peculiar expression that bestows a Nordic, mercantile tone onto a city that is both spiritually and intensely baroque. In sharp contrast, in the Serralves Park, there is the sheer modernity of the building housing the Museum of Contemporary Art, and the romantic, soothing surroundings of the surrounding leafy park.