Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.633819402258624, -9.105845422947105

Quinta da Fidalga, also called Casa da Quinta da Fidalga, Quinta de Vale de Grou, Quinta do Salema and Quinta de Vasco da Gama, is a historic monument located in the city of Seixal, on the left bank of the magnificent Bay of Seixal.

In 2021, the administrative process was initiated with a view to classifying the Quinta as a Property of Interest.

History

The foundation of the farm dates back to the 15th century, being historically associated with Paulo da Gama, the famous brother of Vasco da Gama, who settled in Seixal to watch the construction of the caravels that supposedly would take him to India.

The original name was Quinta do Vale do Grou, until it was changed by popular tradition to "da Fidalga" in the sec. In the 19th century, one of the daughters of the house, D. Maria Bernardina da Gama Lobo de Saldanha e Sousa, was imprisoned there, prevented from marrying an official from a family with political tendencies contrary to her own.

The property of the Gama Lobo Salema family, the Alverca lords, the Treasury clerks, etc., was even sold to the Seixal Council, with the farm being referred to more frequently as the Gamas summer manor.

In 1952, the palace and the farm's streets underwent architectural interventions conducted by Raul Lino, who distributed some tiles, from different eras, to various parts of the property.

Quinta da Fidalga has been owned by the Municipality of Seixal since 2001.

Description

Since its construction, it had agricultural or leisure functions, and, during the 18th century, it stood out among the others for its citrus orchards, which is not surprising, since the region mentioned has always stood out for its beautiful orchards, now destroyed. However, even today, Quinta da Fidalga preserves some trees from that period, among many others, which make the gardens of the estate a rare and valuable complex of gardens, almost unique in Portugal. In addition, the farm has a sophisticated irrigation system.

It is also distinguished by the large Lago de Maré, which is a rare or almost unique monument in European hydraulic architecture. Beyond the lake, when you go up a few stairs, you will find the old iron well - which still works - which used to bring water to the palace and the caretakers' house.

The palace, large and robust, resembles a large country house. White, with reddish tiles, it welcomed Paulo da Gama for a few long months and, later, his brother, Vasco da Gama. The rich mansion houses a chapel, integrated there in the 20th century, replacing an older one. The chapel is covered with Portuguese tiles from the 18th century. Above the door, there is a frieze whose detailed and precise sculpture is one of the «ex-libris» of the Seixal estate. It features the coat of arms of the Miranda Henriques family, and would have been brought from another family property, when the Gama Lobo Salema inherited the estates of the Counts of Sandomil, which included this family's manor in Setubal, among others.

«Ex-libris» is also the fountain that remains in front of this chapel, which, with the strange shape of a fish, was brought from India by Vasco da Gama.

There are several Asian statues scattered throughout the large farmhouse. Almost all the fountains that embellish the gardens are enriched with some of these sculptures, some quite original, as is the case of the fountain located on the left side of the caretakers' house, where it is forbidden to remain.

The gardens are full of tiles, mostly Hispano-Arabic.

Portuguese architectural marvels from the mid-17th century are spread throughout the gardens, including a chapel covered in shells and pebbles, several seats with the same coating, and fountains. These elements form magnificent designs and one of the fountains, which is covered in this way, alludes to the caravels that took the eternal Portuguese west to Indian lands.

Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop In 2014, the Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop was inaugurated on the grounds of Quinta da Fidalga. Building with an architectural project by Siza Vieira, it aims to promote contemporary art, in particular the work of Manuel Cargaleiro, as well as the collections of the Manuel Cargaleiro Foundation, through temporary exhibitions, the development of educational activities within the scope of its programming and the promotion of partnerships with similar organizations.

Full list of Geochaching below:

https://mirror.xyz/madeinpt.eth/I5tjF3sn6ugnUw3nBnKOpOUr2DEh_g6cTN-0hivKCgc

Versão portuguesa aqui.

GPS 38.633819402258624, -9.105845422947105

Quinta da Fidalga, also called Casa da Quinta da Fidalga, Quinta de Vale de Grou, Quinta do Salema and Quinta de Vasco da Gama, is a historic monument located in the city of Seixal, on the left bank of the magnificent Bay of Seixal.

In 2021, the administrative process was initiated with a view to classifying the Quinta as a Property of Interest.

History

The foundation of the farm dates back to the 15th century, being historically associated with Paulo da Gama, the famous brother of Vasco da Gama, who settled in Seixal to watch the construction of the caravels that supposedly would take him to India.

The original name was Quinta do Vale do Grou, until it was changed by popular tradition to "da Fidalga" in the sec. In the 19th century, one of the daughters of the house, D. Maria Bernardina da Gama Lobo de Saldanha e Sousa, was imprisoned there, prevented from marrying an official from a family with political tendencies contrary to her own.

The property of the Gama Lobo Salema family, the Alverca lords, the Treasury clerks, etc., was even sold to the Seixal Council, with the farm being referred to more frequently as the Gamas summer manor.

In 1952, the palace and the farm's streets underwent architectural interventions conducted by Raul Lino, who distributed some tiles, from different eras, to various parts of the property.

Quinta da Fidalga has been owned by the Municipality of Seixal since 2001.

Description

Since its construction, it had agricultural or leisure functions, and, during the 18th century, it stood out among the others for its citrus orchards, which is not surprising, since the region mentioned has always stood out for its beautiful orchards, now destroyed. However, even today, Quinta da Fidalga preserves some trees from that period, among many others, which make the gardens of the estate a rare and valuable complex of gardens, almost unique in Portugal. In addition, the farm has a sophisticated irrigation system.

It is also distinguished by the large Lago de Maré, which is a rare or almost unique monument in European hydraulic architecture. Beyond the lake, when you go up a few stairs, you will find the old iron well - which still works - which used to bring water to the palace and the caretakers' house.

The palace, large and robust, resembles a large country house. White, with reddish tiles, it welcomed Paulo da Gama for a few long months and, later, his brother, Vasco da Gama. The rich mansion houses a chapel, integrated there in the 20th century, replacing an older one. The chapel is covered with Portuguese tiles from the 18th century. Above the door, there is a frieze whose detailed and precise sculpture is one of the «ex-libris» of the Seixal estate. It features the coat of arms of the Miranda Henriques family, and would have been brought from another family property, when the Gama Lobo Salema inherited the estates of the Counts of Sandomil, which included this family's manor in Setubal, among others.

«Ex-libris» is also the fountain that remains in front of this chapel, which, with the strange shape of a fish, was brought from India by Vasco da Gama.

There are several Asian statues scattered throughout the large farmhouse. Almost all the fountains that embellish the gardens are enriched with some of these sculptures, some quite original, as is the case of the fountain located on the left side of the caretakers' house, where it is forbidden to remain.

The gardens are full of tiles, mostly Hispano-Arabic.

Portuguese architectural marvels from the mid-17th century are spread throughout the gardens, including a chapel covered in shells and pebbles, several seats with the same coating, and fountains. These elements form magnificent designs and one of the fountains, which is covered in this way, alludes to the caravels that took the eternal Portuguese west to Indian lands.

Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop In 2014, the Manuel Cargaleiro Arts Workshop was inaugurated on the grounds of Quinta da Fidalga. Building with an architectural project by Siza Vieira, it aims to promote contemporary art, in particular the work of Manuel Cargaleiro, as well as the collections of the Manuel Cargaleiro Foundation, through temporary exhibitions, the development of educational activities within the scope of its programming and the promotion of partnerships with similar organizations.

Full list of Geochaching below:

https://mirror.xyz/madeinpt.eth/I5tjF3sn6ugnUw3nBnKOpOUr2DEh_g6cTN-0hivKCgc