Manor House Verde de Oliveira

The historic Verde de Oliveira House, dating back to the XVIII century, has been in the Oliveira family since its establishment. Originally owned by Joaquim d’Oliveira, an architect and engineer from Lisbon, the house in Leiria was acquired due to a royal assignment from Queen Maria I to develop roads connecting Lisbon to Coimbra and Porto. Joaquim d’Oliveira, a member of the Royal Corps of Engineers, received various properties in the Leiria region as compensation for his work.

Constructed with a neoclassical facade from the XVIII century, the interior of the house features Rococó-style decorative arts, including wooden painted and stucco ceilings, seasonal rooms, a chapel of Saint Ana, tile panels, and stonework—a unique richness in the Leiria region. The house survived, the French Invasions of 1811, when the city of Leira suffered severe damage, the house was occupied by french troops but a local housekeeper avoided the house being destroyed.

After years of private use, the house underwent renovations from 2005, prompting its owner to open it to the public for guided visits and events such as the European Heritage Days, Private Heritage Days, and Early Music Day. The ultimate goal is to restore the family house, emphasizing its cultural, artistic, and historical significance from the XVIII century. The owner envisions organizing events, guided tours, and establishing a small tourism accommodation to showcase Portuguese heritage in diverse ways.

The house’s participation in the Merita Project marks a significant milestone and is seen as a commendable initiative to contribute to the preservation and promotion of Portugal’s cultural legacy.