Location: Vila Pouca da Beira, Beiras Region

History tells us that the Convento do Desagravo was built on the orders of the Bishop and Count, Dom Francisco de Lemos de Faria Pereira , during the last quarter of the eighteenth century. Today's Pousada preserves this fascinating piece of history intact, carefully adapted to provide contemporary comfort. Its superb location, close to the mountains of the " Serra da Estrela " and the "Serra do Acor", helps to create a romantic and peaceful atmosphere.

Accommodation: The Pousada has 21 Double rooms and 3 Suites. All the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, mini-bar, telephone, cable TV, hair drier, locker, bathing gowns, view surroundings.

Pousada History: The old Desagravo´s Convent, in which the Pousada is housed, is in Vila Pouca da Beira, a small village with less than 400 habitants. The region is notable for its tasty cheese, which is still made by hand and highly prized for its rich flavour. Serra da Estrela Natural Park , being the largest mountain range and the highest peak in continental Portugal at just under 2000 metres , is a short drive away from the village. In winter there is skiing on the upper slopes. It is also the only area where a rare species of mountain lizard is found. The small and remote village of Belmonte is 65 kilometres away. The village is of considerable interest and overlooked by a restored thirteenth century castle. This castle was the family residence and birthplace of the Discoverer, Pedro Álvares Cabral, who first discovered Brazil. Some reports suggest that he was going around the Cape of Good Hope on his way from Portugal to the Far East. A ferocious Atlantic storm blew him off course and the famous discovery was by accident. The Convent was built on the orders of the Bishop Count D. Francisco de Lemos de Faria Pereira Coutinho in 1780 and the construction works finished about 20 years later. About one hundred years later, when the last nun living in the Convent died, the building was converted into a Military Hospital. It has been extensively and carefully restored by the Bissaya Barreto Foundation with great attention being paid to all the details. It was opened in August 2002 and is is now a luxury hotel, offering very high standard accommodation in superb surroundings. The shaded convent cloister and formal gardens are oasis of calm to relax in from the heat of the day. Convento do Desagravo is about 280 km from Lisbon and 180 km from Porto ( Oporto ) airport.

Meetings & Conferences: Room with natural light,  internet and other specific characteristics. Audio and visual material available: screen, data show, TV and video, flipchart e microphones. Free parking. Newspapers in the rooms.