The Tower House, located next to the River Cávado, in the parish of Soutelo, is owned by the Jesuits. It was built in the eighteenth century, with a magnificent baroque architecture replica of a house-tower type of the Estado Novo. Throughout its history the ‘Casa da Torre’ (Tower House) had several owners, namely João Feio Magalhães Coutinho, in 1847, a nobleman of the Royal House and Coronel Caçador, made Baron of the Tower by the Queen Maria II, and in 1871 made the 1st Viscount of the Tower by King Louis I. After the death of Alfredo Feio da Rocha Paris, in 1912, made 2nd Viscount of ‘Casa da Torre’ (Tower House) in 1885 the ownership of the house was in the widow's possession, Lady Maria Cândida Malheiro Reinão Teles Calheiros de Menezes and Sá. In March 1947, by Testament, she donates the Tower House to the Company of the Portuguese Province of Jesus, and when she died in May that year, the house passed onto the possession of the Jesuits.
Its structure is composed of three different bodies arranged in sequence, corresponding to the tower, house and chapel. The Tower House deserves notability to the main portal with some pinnacles with the richness and exuberance inspirational architectural decoration similar to the sculptural work of Nasoni, the adornment of the tower consists of pyramids of granite and merlons, the cloister, the terrace and gardens which are great places to provide authentic moments of meditation and tranquillity. The Tower House, currently functions as a centre of spirituality and culture place such as prayer, spiritual exercises, development and reflection.
Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 22:00 p.m.
Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 20:00 p.m.
Location: Vila Verde
