Solar Abreu Madeira

The approach to this majestic 18th Century manor is via a delightful pine wood and the sleepy village of Canas de Senhorim. Cattle-raising was once the livelihood of those who lived here, although guests are nowadays more likely to witness the making of the superb Dão wine and Serra cheese. The interior decoration is impeccable, its entrance hall adorned with two dignified carriages, and a stone staircase leading to the living quarters.

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At the location where Solar Abreu-Madeira now stands, there was once a smaller house, 'Casa da Fonte,' which had a chapel dedicated to 'Senhora da Boa Morte.' This house belonged to the current owner's great grandfather's brother, together with four other houses in the district.

During this period, it was traditional for the sons to be heir to the family fortunes, and for the daughters to be given a dowry in order to help arrange a good husband. However, the first born in this case died unmarried, thus leaving no descendants. His sister therefore inherited the family fortune, married a noble man, and decided it necessary to have a larger house.

In 1838, the house chapel was brought from 'Casa do Cruzeiro,' another family house. The house has rural characteristics, and is of the Neo-Classical style, with a Neo-baroque tower and chapel.

At one time, the traditional occupations of Abreu-Madeira's inhabitants were cattle-raising and agriculture. However, times have changed, and today one is more likely to see tractors in the fields rather than horses. The house has preserved two old carriages and displays them in the entrance hall. The making of the Dão wine and Serra cheese, genuine traditional pastimes of the house, continues today for visitors to see and taste.

FRENCH INVASIONS:
The year 1810 was the setting for the third Napoleonic invasion: the French induced panic, pillaging, stealing and destroying everything in their path. People fled from their houses, taking what they could with them and hiding their valuables. At solar Abreu-Madeira, various artifacts have been found from this period, including several silver objects and an Indo-Portuguese blanket.