The Manor House

“Porto Manso is also there, next to the Douro and mated with orange trees and other fruit trees. It drains from a steep hill on the top of which pine trees pound (…) The village seen from afar is a beautiful crib. Porto Manso is tight between an iron arm and an arm of fierce water. And it seems crushed by that hug.”

In the mid-1940s, Alves Redol described the village of Porto Manso in a book with the same name. Located in the parish of Ribadouro, Baião, the village grew and developed due to the extraordinary landscape frame with Pala’s bayou and the Ovil river mouth.

The old Roman roads, which remained active until a few decades ago, were replaced, the once abundant vegetation became rarer, but the houses, narrow alleyways and, of course, the character of its people make Porto Manso still retains the irresistible charm that characterized the Douro villages of ancient Portugal. The transformation was due to the construction of the Carrapatelo Dam, which raised the water level of the Douro River by more than thirty meters.

A vast expanse of leafy orange groves and rambling fields, as well as a number of buildings, were slowly submerged, forming an expansive water mirror, reflecting the rare beauty of places as singular as Porto Manso, Porto Antigo or Caldas de Aregos.

Casa da Torre, a former manor house, has existed since the mid-eighteenth century, but has undergone profound changes throughout history.

Situated on the right bank of the Douro River, facing south and west, it has stunning views over the River and the Douro Valley.

It has four houses that were former agricultural houses, now adapted for Rural Tourism. They are surrounded by orange groves and vineyards in organic farming.

The swimming pool, with flush board, is close to all the houses and has a panoramic view over the river Douro.