Location: Guimaraes, Minho region, Northern Portugal

Near the historical centre of Guimaraes, set on a hill overlooking the city, we find the majestic Pousada de Guimaraes - Santa Marinha, the XII Century Augustin Monastery, which after being rebuilt and restored, received the National Architectural Prize in 1985. Penha Park , the gardens and the interior corners with granite fountains, the rich Portuguese glazed tiles, the cloisters, the balconies and terraces over the city will, together with the magnificent cuisine and wines, make you wish to stay for a very long time.

Accommodation: The Pousada has 42 Rooms and 2 Suites. All the rooms are equipped with air conditioning, mini-bar, telephone, cable TV, hair drier, locker, bathing gowns, landscape surroundings.

Pousada History: At about 1km from the city centre of Guimaraes, home town of Portugal, the Pousada de Santa Marinha, proud and majestic being a relic of the golden times when a Monastery, is located on an hillside overlooking the dazzling valley and the city. This temple devoted to Christian religion, probably dates back from the beginning of the Christian Reconquest (by the end of the IX century). The circumstances of the original occupation, of the Monastery, are still unknown. Could it have token place before the Arabic conquest? Some elements from the late-roman were already identified. It is also known that an invasion of Guimaraes by “pagans”, between the year 959 and 968, brought some important repairs and fortifications work; hence, it might have been served as a fortress during the disturbed times of Almansor campaigns. According to an old tradition, the Monastery have been donated by D. Mafalda (wife of D. Afonso Henriques - first king of Portugal ) to the canons of Saint Augustin order (1154). Its function would be related to a vow made by D. Mafalda in honour to the virgin and martyr Santa Marinha, saint advocate of parturient women. In Museum Alberto Sampaio, there is an image of Santa Marinha, a French sculpture, most probably a twin-copy of Saint Catherine of the Church of Notre-Dame de Couetrai, in Belgium. A few architectural elements from the pre-roman period have survived, however some decorative fragments have been found. The most important is the foundation of a tower with a typically Moorish-Arabic door. This door is well preserved and positioned at the Northwest corner of the cloister, which is, in itself, a masterpiece of elegance, serenity and harmony. It was once the main entrance to the Monastery, original door, charmingly simple, of a great architectural interest, owing to the purity of its lines and good taste of its ornamentation, it is now the most perfect Moorish-Arabic element among the few ones still existing in Portugal. Whilst blending in very well with the natural surroundings, it also reflects man's continual efforts. The relationship with the ancient monastery building suggests a balancing act between man and nature, complementing each other in Baroque style. The grounds appear to be a fresh, leafy island, forming a special place, of which we must take full advantage.

History of Guimaraes: Although is essentially a mediaeval town, Guimaraes has its origins in the distant 10th century. It was at this time that the Countess Mumadona Dias, widow of Hemengildo Mendes ordered the construction of a monastery which became the focal point for a settlement. For its defence she ordered a Castle to be built on a hill a short distance away, thus creating a second nucleus of development. A street grew-up linking one to the other - the Santa Maria Road. Later the monastery acquired great importance due to the privileges and donations bestowed on it by kings and nobility.  It became a famous centre for pilgrimage attracting the prayers and promises of the faithful drawn from all quarters. While the town continued to grow inside the walls which were erected to defend it, the orders of poor friars arrived in Guimaraes and made their contribution to shaping the town. The twin nuclei subsequently merged into one, so that by the 15th century the lay-out of the city within the walls had been established. Although there would still be the construction of some churches, monasteries and palaces and the creation of the Misericordia Square (now Joao Franco Square), its alignment would not be significantly altered. Guimaraes, raised to the status of city in 1853 by Queen D. Maria II, would undergo major changes. The demolition of the city walls was authorised and encouraged. New squares such as Largo de Carmo (today Martins Sarmento square) and Largo Condessa de Juncal were opened, as well as new streets and avenues. Later the Colina da Fundacao was landscaped and the Alameda was created. However, almost everything was done in harmony with the conservation of its historic town heart.