History, and stories

Set in São Bento da Porta Aberta, within the territory of Peneda-Gerês National Park, Villa Dos Santos — Country House is a former rural house built of local granite at the end of the eighteenth century and carefully restored between 2019 and 2022, preserving its identity, its original structure and the genuine character of traditional Minho architecture.

For generations the house was the residence of one of the oldest families in the region, the Dos Santos family, previously known as the Pires house. The name Santos became attached to an important page in the history of the Sanctuary of São Bento da Porta Aberta: Mr. António Pires, a man of great kindness and a friend to all, played an important part in the founding of the Sanctuary, and so came to be called “the saint” by local people. From then on the house was known as the Dos Santos house.

The history of the house also crosses the events that marked the north of Portugal during the Liberal Revolution of the nineteenth century.

Outside, the old granite threshing floor, the traditional stone tank converted into a plunge pool, the garden and the private parking complete the quiet rural setting of the property, a place made for enjoying the nature and the calm of Gerês.

A house with a history, holding past and present together in balance, restored to offer something authentic in the heart of Gerês.