Casa Mateus

This one was very special to me.  When I was in Portugal back in '84-'86 serving as a missionary for my church I had the good fortune to be able to travel to many places throughout Portugal due to my particular assignment.  One of the places I heard about the entire time I was there was this magical place:  Casa Mateus.  It is one of the best examples of Italian baroque period architecture in the country.  

I love Chateau's and this one felt like a wonderful Portguese version of one.  The buildings are so great but I love the gardens even more.  What made it even more special was that I had harbored this fantasy of coming back to Portugal one day to see this.  I knew it wasn't very realistic, but dreaming is a great hobby of mine and I thought it would be so cool to find a way.  It is hidden away up in the Vila Real municipality which is a bit of the older Portgual.  

Fast forward many years.... I wake up knowing that I am finally going to see this hidden marvel.  I am so excited.  I conjure up all kinds of pictures in my head and feel my emotions brimming with ancitipation.  There is very little signage so you sneak up on it and suddently you are parking in the gravel lot next to the home.

It is simply gorgeous.  Meticulously maintained.  

So many little nooks and special touches

I love libraries.  This one wasn't large but beautiful.  You could smell the leather and old pages of hand bound books and ledgers.

We spent hours walking through the gardens.  There are so many different looks and angles that create amazing new perspectives.  It is very much like walking through history.

The gardens were amazing.  So many mazes, arches and pathways that all told a different story and beckoned you to journey through to see what might be just ahead.

Walking under these vines with ripe grapes was really cool.  The grapes were sweet.  The path was perfect.

..... and so was this one.....

..... and so was this one..

Nature's natural therapy.  I love that people throughout time have had the talent, vision and ability to create beauty that can draw people to places like this.  Thank God for the artists that possess the passion for particulars, details and lasting beauty.  

This bench looked like it had grown into the side of this ancient wall.  I could imagine the gardners of the day stopping to take a break or to eat something in between caretaking tasks.  They probably didn't have too much time for reflection..... I was thankful I did.

Why gardens and shapes like this can draw so much emotion and mystery I will never understand, all I know is that scenes like this can make time stop and can put me in a spell of wonder that makes my heart race and my senses come alive.  This is good medicine.  

Truly inspiring!

At the end, I saw this bowl just sitting next to this pond.  It hadn't been moved in a while.  How did it get there?  What was it's purpose?

Another mystery that I hope I don't find the answers too.... The wonder is what lingers.

So, did it fulfill the decades long thirst I had from just a small picture someone showed me so long ago?

Yes... and then some.  It was one of the best "saudades to matar" ever.  The fact that the desire to see it again one day was so strong makes me smile..... I know you have your own.  Man, I hope you experience them soon!