Gondomil House | Turism at the Douro

Be a part of the river, Being apart from it all.

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casagondomil

The Place

The 2 houses are located in the neighborhood of “Vila Cete”, a site from the 12th century, located in Alpendorada – Marco de Canaveses, on the right bank of Douro River.

Downstream, about 500m, is Bitetos quay (“Cais de Bitetos”), a Douro River port endowed with a beach and other nautical amenities. Infornt of this port, where the Paiva River meets Douro is “Ilha dos Amores” (Love Island). Upstream, about 1000m, is “Convento de Alpendorada” (Alpendorada Monastery), a construction from the 16th century.

Casa de Gondomil is located inside an agricultural property with 15.000 m2, called “Quinta de Gondomil”, implanted in a slope on the right bank of Douro River and facing it for 200 meters.

The landscape is formed by 23 terraces, which come out from the river like the steps of a church altar.

Near the house runs a water spring that flows into a stone sink encircled by orange and tangerine trees. Each terrace is surrounded by vineyards which are used for table wine production.

The terrace that faces the river has a private anchorage for Casa de Gondomil boats where it is possible to fish, swim and practice canoeing, water skiing, etc.

Casa de Vilacete was named after the place where it is located and it is about 300m from Casa de Gondomil.

Vila Cete is the oldest place of Alpendorada and in the ancient times it was a very busy location due to its proximity to Douro River, which was the only transportation route for people and goods between Régua and Porto.

In the thirties decade, the construction of the EN 108 road along the Douro River, connecting Régua to Porto, transformed the territory occupation with the population moving from the river site closer to the new road. The granite extraction development and the road transportation greatly contributed the economical growth of Alpendorada.

As a consequence Vila Cete place suffered during 2 to 3 decades a decline which, recently, started to recover from mainly due to the navigability of Douro River and the nautical activities.