Vidigal mansion

The substantial and imposing Vidigal mansion is located in Pedrógão Pequeno, near Sertã in central Portugal and set back from the iconic N2 which is Portugal´s longest road (738km), stretching from the north to the south of the country. 

The property has an impressive 890m2 of living space, arranged over two floors and an attic, not including its outbuildings. The size and location of the mansion make it ideal for redevelopment as luxury tourist accommodation, a care home, boutique hotel, or a sumptuous private residence.

Built in around 1870 in the neoclassical style for Joaquim Henriques Vidigal, the illustrious businessman and local benefactor who made his fortune in Brazil, the mansion has visible architectural features including a symmetrical frontage with an elegant balcony and arched windows, high ceilings and an unmistakeable feeling of spaciousness. The manor house is replete with original features from an age of opulence and splendour.

Visitors are greeted by a spacious entrance hall fitted with fine chequered floor tiles, ´faux´ marble wall panelling and an ornate wrought-iron gate with monogram, before the main staircase. Ground floor accommodation includes bedrooms, former stables and a large open space to the left with a kitchen and garden access that could be used as a garage, large workshop or spacious sitting room.

The first floor is accessed via a wide and welcoming staircase, to reach the main lounge area which has an ornately carved and painted wooden ceiling and beautiful wooden floor. The lounge has views onto the front of the property. There are further bedrooms and bathrooms on this floor. Above this, the attic space, once servants´ quarters, consists of a corridor running the full length of the house, with the rooms ideal for redevelopment as a collection of ensuite bedrooms.

The mansion sits on 1.5 hectares of land, well cared for and planted with vines, olive and fruit trees with a stream along the lower boundary. There is ample space for a swimming pool, and for holding leisure events, weddings and retreats.

Though requiring modernisation to bring it back to its former glory, the Vidigal mansion stands as a timeless masterpiece and a silent witness to times gone by. It is a property with remarkable character and charm that will delight those with a taste for heritage, history, decor and architecture.

Pedrógão Pequeno is a charming and lively village with facilities that include a petrol station, cafés, restaurant, minimarket, hairdresser, butcher, health centre, Sunday market, hardware store and guest houses.  The nearby towns of Pedrógão Grande (3 kilometres), Sertã and Cernache do Bonjardim, (both 15 kilometres away), are larger and have additional services that include banks, and pharmacies.  

The Vidigal mansion is in an area of outstanding natural beauty, close to the beautiful River Zêzere and the popular Cabril dam which both offer leisure pursuits including water sports, swimming, sailing and hiking. The university city of Coimbra, with its first-class medical facilities, is a 50 minute drive to the north. Lisbon and Porto airports are equidistant, both around a 1 hour 50 minutes by road. Energy certificate: ´E´ rating.