Hotel Casa da Ínsua, located 25 kilometers from the city of Viseu, in central Portugal, is a 18th-century baroque style manor house built on the orders of Luís de Albuquerque de Melo Pereira e Cáceres.
The essential qualities of the founder have been retained in the romantic gardens, architecture and interior décor. Casa da Ínsua offers guests a wonderful opportunity to explore the most characteristic elements of tropical landscapes from the past three centuries, with a wide variety of plant and animal species.
Guests can visit the old smithy, which features restored machinery and tools used in the blacksmith's trade. It also offers guests a library, game room, two outdoor swimming pools, gym, chapel, wine cellar for wine tasting and a place to sample regional products prepared using age-old recipes.
The current Casa da Ínsua—built in the 18th century by Luís de Albuquerque de Melo Pereira e Cáceres, governor and captain general of Mato Grosso and Guiabá, Brazil—sits on the site of the previous Casa da Ínsua—constructed by João de Albuquerque e Castro, fortress governor of Sabugal. It has retained some of the original elements, including the chapel and terrace.
Today, visitors can still find references to the previous owners, especially on the west-facing façade, with an escutcheon bearing the coat of arms of the Albuquerque family and the flowered cross of the Pereira family, as well as the ceiling paintings in the entrance with the family coat of arms.
It is also possible to find traces of Luís de Albuquerque's time in Brazil in various objects, primarily handmade hunting and fishing tools used by the Brazilian Indians and primitive indigenous weapons, as well as military devices of the Castilian army.
DINING
The varied traditional cuisine is one of the main attractions of the Dão region. Tastes such as caldo verde (potato kale soup), rice dishes, veal and young beef, and of course, cod are a delight for the senses.
Highlights among the products provided by the gardens and lands of this region include Bravo de Esmolfe apples, grown on the property; housemade sheep's milk cheeses with the Serra da Estrela designation of origin; and lastly, sweets from Castendo, all of which allow the Parador Casa da Ínsua to offer a unique culinary experience.
Sample both local Portuguese cuisine and international dishes, accompanied by our own wines, a wonderfully flavorful experience and the perfect opportunity to discover Portugal's gastronomy. And the surroundings make the meal even more unforgettable.
ROOMS & SUITES
The hotel boasts 35 stately guest rooms (including nine suites and five apartments).
