Description
THE IDEAL PLACE FOR RELAXATION
Come spend a few days in the city that proudly announces to its visitors: "This is the birthplace of Portugal". Situated in the center of the country of Portugal and the likely birthplace of D. Afonso Henriques, the first King of Portugal, this is a place where you'll find a cheerful, confident and attractive environment that inspires not only its inhabitants, but also visitors who stay there for a relaxing vacation. The Pousada da Marinha, a unique hotel full of history located in the city of Guimarães, is a great place to set out on a journey of historical discovery.
Staying at the Pousada of Santa Marinha in Guimarães is not only an opportunity to relax for a few days, but also to learn about history with your every step. Located on the slopes of Monte da Penha, this former monastery that once belonged to Queen Mafalda, wife of King Afonso Henriques, and was part of the order of the Holy Canons of Saint Augustine in the twelfth century, is a building that inspires admiration. Its every door, window and stone exudes wisdom.
The feeling of being at home begins in the bar which once served as the monastery's kitchen. There is a striking contrast between the comfort you are treated to - the huge fireplace, the cozy sofas and a terrace with a very inviting esplanade in the summer, or on any sunny day - and the history that you'll learn about.
LOCATION:
It's simple to figure out how to get to the Pousada: just drive up to the center of Guimarães and follow Penha's directions. You'll be going uphill, and as you are getting away from the city, you'll be getting closer to a place that is different from everything you have ever experienced before, a place that is perfect for contemplation and reflection.
Location
Address
Largo Domingos Leite de Castro, Lugar da Costa
GPS Coordinates
X: -8.276517 - Y: 41.443217
Means of Transport
Amenities
BUSINESS CENTER
LAUNDRY
OUTDOOR SWIMMING POOL
PETS ALLOWED
ROOM SERVICE
SECURE VAULT
SHOP
Restaurant
TASTE A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY
At the Dona Mafalda restaurant, you can take a trip through the typical flavors of the Minho and Guimarães region. You can also uncover the secret behind old-fashioned forms of food preservation in a structure as large as a monastery: note the numbered tiles on the floor. They provided a way to descend three meters below the ground to the fridge and the pantry. Located in what used to be wine cellars, this architectural marvel features vaulted ceilings that are made of columns in granite and are decorated with Johannine tile panels taken from the corridor between the rooms. (Only a few remains from this corridor have survived the fire of 1951.) The tiles depict scenes from everyday life such as lunches, trips, picnics and games - it is the perfect setting to embark on a culinary journey that will treat you to many delectable regional specialties.
Start with a traditional hors-d'oeuvre and some finger food or trilogy of snacks: ask for the delicious cornbread and try the alheira with sautéed sprouts. The octopus with crispy bread has a sour taste and is simply amazing. The codfish balls are also a great choice. If you prefer to be more "minhoto" than the the "minhotos", ask for a typical caldo verde. This soup is just what you need to chase away the cold and warm up.
Other region's traditional dishes are: baked cod in a bread crust, rice and rooster (with giblets) and the delicious roasted lamb from the oven. Try this dish along with a glass of Château d'Alba, cultivated in the upper Douro wine relgion. That will be a delightful experience that you will never forget. But also don't forget about the superb offerings of the Green Wine region and be sure to pay your respects to its best representative, Alvarinho. There are also many more good fruity-tasted laurels - great for pairing with appetizers or fish.
Also, try the Papas de Sarrabulho, made exclusively in this cold season of pig slaughter! Very intense and aromatic, it has a strong cumin flavor and the texture of meat shreds. There are also more wonderful dishes to discover like baby goat rice, guinea-fowl breast with potatoes and mashed asparagus, or the very typical wild boar carré marinated in green wine.
Finally, the Abade Priscos pudding, toucinho do céu and custard are the house's landmark dishes, perfectly accompanied by a heavenly buffet that features pão-de-ló de Ovar and sliced fruit. These mini portions of pleasure served in the form of eggs and sugar are so delicious that you'll be licking your fingers.
The D. Mafalda restaurant in the Pousada de Guimarães, is an imposing lounge with smooth stone arches having once been the barns and chambers of the monetary. The delicacies that can be savoured are traditional of the region's cuisine, offering a personalised service characterised by its professionalism with the ability of giving their customers an unforgettable experience.
Things to Do
Things to See
Local Festivities
Activities
Bicycles
Shooting field
Golf
Table games
Traditional games
Paintball
Cable car tours in the Penha Park
Horse rides
Dirt bike tours
Jeep tours
Micro light rides
Theme walks
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Petrabax
Petrabax is also a leader in Spanish language escorted tours of Europe, Middle East and the Orient.
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