Portugal 4 Life

Convento St. Antonio

Convento St. Antonio is a monastery of tremendous significance.

Built during the Spanish invasion it is unique in its design, with Spanish influences and use of pre-Roman stone which has been dated at over three thousand years old. It was one of the first, largest and most important of the monasteries in the Beira Baixa region.

Set in 6,000 square meters of terraced land with established gardunha trees and a fantastic specimen of a rare castania, the Convento has a walled garden with magnificent views over the whole valley.

Within the monastery where Franciscan monks once dwelled, there is a cloister like no other in Portugal owing to its Spanish style. Inside the building are many tombs and rumors of undiscovered secrets such as tunnels and escape routes! The building is both fascinating and endearing and has massive potential as a renovation project to stun the onlooker in its former glory.

The Convento is situated in a town named Fundao in north central Portugal. It is an area undergoing tourism expansion with the only skiing in Portugal less than 40 kilometers away by road.

The town lies beside the A23 which is the main auto route between Spain and Lisbon.

The position of the monastery is undeniably one of exception, with views over twenty-one villages, the Gardunha Mountains and the Cova de Beira plains. The ancient town of Fundao lies below between the majestic mountain ranges and still today has examples of its historical influences with architectural styles of Baroque, Manueline and Gothic architecture.

Fed by the picturesque Zezere River, the area is one of peace and fertility, producing an abundance of cherry, peach and olive groves with some of the finest grapes in Portugal.

The town is expanding fast and offers visitors a choice of pursuits, both cultural and natural. It is a paradise for the outdoor enthusiast. There is also an airport at Covilha that is only 15km away from the property.

An Investment Project

The current owner of the monastery has had plans drawn up for a hotel project which has the full support from the Camara Municipal Fundao.

The plans include the large hall in the main Church for weddings or conferences and such like.

Also included are restaurants (both exclusive and historical), bars, a library and twenty one bedrooms.

The specification is suitable for a five star hotel.

Due to its classification and importance, EEC monies (consisting of grants, no interest loans and very low interest loans) are available.