Lavender Cottage set in the Quinta de Evoramonte

Capacity: Up to 5 Guests, i.e. two double bedrooms (set either as double beds or twin beds) plus a mezzanine floor with single bed in one of the bedrooms.

Set in 12 hectares located on the north slope of the Castle of Evoramonte, this original Lavender Cottage is part of the old olive press mill complex dating from 1586!

“Lavender Cottage” has a comfortable sitting/dining room with fireplace and log burner, equipped kitchenette and bathroom with rain shower. There is an outside pergola sitting area with amazing views!

Quiet and calm… and a spectacular infinity pool. Our pool offers the perfect spot to relax after a long day of riding, hiking or sight-seeing. Relax with a drink in hand to soak up the sunshine, cool off, or watch the sun go down.

The “Quinta de EVORAMONTE” was built long before 1951, the point of first land registry in Portugal, and served for centuries as the active olive press for the immediate area surrounding the village of Evoramonte. The olive press mill fell into disuse and very poor condition, having been restored by the previous owner, and we are continuing this effort of restoration, respecting the old construction methods whilst upgrading the level of comfort expected nowadays.

During the initial restoration, a coin dating from 1586 is the oldest relic found amongst the bricks of the original patio oven – an old tradition of placing a coin from the construction year to date the building, and to bring prosperity to its dwellers! The “Quinta de EVORAMONTE” has existed through many centuries, encompassing a period of great and rich history, which can be witnessed by visiting the historical places or attending the several popular harvest and medieval feasts in the surrounding area.

The olive press room was of an early design with two beam presses, each with a retaining counterweight linked by a wooden screw. A fine example of the counterweight still rests in the main “Lagar” room, which has been adopted as the breakfast/dining room. The property was registered by the previous owner for Rural Tourism and promoted as “Quinta do Serafim”, providing a simple experience to enjoy its rustic character. As “Quinta do Serafim”, the property ceased its Rural Tourism activity in 2012.

As the present owners, we purchased the property from the previous owner in September 2015 with the intention to re-develop the Quinta - both with its Tourism activity as well as its Agriculture potential - and we have activated again the Rural Tourism as a quality “Casa de Campo” (or “Country Home”), to be enjoyed by ourselves as our permanent home in Portuga, and by our Guests. As part of our vision, we aim to bring a standard of experience unsurpassed, as the Portuguese are known for their welcoming culture!

“Quinta de EVORAMONTE”, situated at the heart of the Alentejo Region and surrounded by vineyards, olive orchards, and many historic towns and villages, is ideally located to explore the region's rich gastronomy and wines with its many local wine cellars, and still it can provide access to many outdoor activities to suit the most energetic adventurer.

The Alentejo area is very popular amongst cyclists with its gentle sloping hills and valleys, and mountain bikers who love the rugged terrains of the Serrad’Ossa where our property is located. Recently the “Cycling Club of Estremoz” organised a local mountain bike track race (counting for the National Championships) the course of which passed right in front of our property gate! Walking is also popular and many rural walk tracks are being reinstated. Trekking on horseback is gaining popularity, and the “Quinta de EVORAMONTE” has a privileged relationship with the “Hipotec Centre of Estremoz” to organise private horse riding lessons at different levels of horse riding skills upon request.

Well located within the Alentejo Region, “Quinta de EVORAMONTE” provides easy access to the many attractions of the area. With a history reaching back to the Roman era, made most famous by the city of Évora with its ‘Temple of Diana’, it is the period of the Moors that occupied Portugal and the wars that resulted from it, that have so deeply influenced the Alentejo you see today, with its many old castles perched on hilltops.

Alentejo is therefore very rich in history, and the dominance of Portugal as a world influence in the 15th century brought wealth to Portugal, which can be seen in the affluent architecture that remains today.

Not too far from Evoramonte is the city of ‘Vila Viçosa’, which is where the Braganças’ originate from (the Portuguese former Royal family). Heavily influential in Portugal, and amongst others things they are responsible for the ‘British Afternoon Tea’ - Catarina de Bragança was the one who brought that “tradition” to the English Court!

If you venture to the coastline, a relaxing cross-country journey of no more than 1h30 minutes, there are beaches of Caparica where the windsurfing and kite boarding are very popular, and you have also the trendy beaches of Comporta attracting fashionable people from all nations.

Also, Portalegre boasts a top-class training centre for rowing and canoeing called ‘Avizaqcua Team Centre’, which has gained a reputation at Olympic level for team preparation.

An hour by car will take you to the town ‘Monsaraz’ to be found next to the largest man-made lake formed in Europe since 2002, a Barragem do Alqueva (or Alqueva dam) and the picturesque village of ‘Reguengos de Monzaraz’ perched on a hilltop,. Here, it is possible to enjoy many water sports, from water skiing, sailing or fishing, or just lazing on a private boat tour.