The Portuguese real estate market is crazy, just look at the recent figures that show that 116% of Lisbon citizens’ salaries go on housing – the highest figure in the European Union. And if we talk s about the sale prices of some properties, the figures can be even more striking. But what if we told you that a historic village in Beira was on the market for less than some apartments in the capital?
In the current panorama, this scenario may sound surreal. However, not only is it true, it’s also available in an online auction. Until December 5, auctioneer Leilosoc Worldwide intends to sell the village of Póvoa Dão, located in the parish of Silgueiros, in the municipality of Viseu, less than 20 minutes’ drive from the city of Viriato. The aim is to achieve a value of approximately 1.7 million euros.
“A rare opportunity on the market”
Cited by SIC Notícias, a press release sent to Lusa details that this online auction is due to the “executive process of Nacala Holdings S.A.R.L and Others” (owner of the village). And the range available couldn’t be more surprising. In all, the historic village covers an area of around 100 hectares.
Described by Leilosoc as “a rare opportunity in the Portuguese real estate market”, in addition to the traditional houses that keep the original Beira style intact, Póvoa do Dão has a “chapel, restaurant, parking lot, common areas and landscaped outdoor spaces”.
According to the auctioneer, this is a place with potential for a “luxury eco-resort or tourist village, wine and wine tourism development or sustainable rural condominium”. It also has direct access to the River Dão and river beaches with stunning views, as well as belonging to an area famous for its wines.
A historic village
Póvoa Dão is currently in the headlines due to its auction, but its history goes back much further than the media era. It is said that its origins date back to the 13th century, having been mentioned in the Afonsinas inquiries of 1258.
However, there is testimony to a more distant past: a Roman road that connected Viseu to Tábua. Over time, the village played an important role in trade in the area, but from the 1960s onwards it began to lose inhabitants, particularly due to emigration.
Troubled projects
This is not the first time that Póvoa Dão has been in the news. In 1995, the village in the municipality of Viseu was mentioned in the main Portuguese media, as it was sold for 80,000 contos (around 400,000 euros). At the time, there were only four elderly people living in the village.
After that, hope was reborn in 2000, when the village was once again in the news because more than 30 houses (ranging from studio to three-bedroom units) were put up for sale. In 2010, Póvoa Dão was once again restored by Ramos Catarino (belonging to the owner group). But the noise of the tourists was ‘short-lived sunshine’, and the whispers of nature soon took over again.
Now, with this auction by Leilosoc Worldwide, the question is: will this be the moment when the historic village gets a new (and lasting) lease of life? In any case, between the silence of the mountains and the murmur of running water, Póvoa Dão will remain a Beira refuge – with heart and soul!
Don’t miss out! Follow us on Facebook,Instagram and now WhatsApp too!