No. Casa de Mateus Foundation is a private institution with public service missions in the areas of heritage, culture, art, education and scientific dissemination.

Through the Foundation's Program you can access the current calendar of scheduled events, as well as request information and even consult past events. If you would like to receive our newsletter when each event is publicised, you can go to the Casa de Mateus Foundation Newsletter page and subscribe.

The Fundação da Casa de Mateus | Vila Real | Facebook is also a social network where you can be notified of new events and initiatives from the Casa de Mateus Foundation.

Pets are welcome at Casa de Mateus in all the surrounding areas, except inside the Museum and Chapel.

Yes, photos are allowed, but only without flash.

Yes, if you want to consult the Foundation Archive, just go to the page Welcome - Arquivo da Casa de Mateus.

The Casa de Mateus Foundation, a heritage site, does not have a car park. Exceptionally, it is possible to park inside for a fee of 12€.

The House is only closed one day a year, on 25 December, the day Christmas is celebrated.

No, at the moment the Casa de Mateus Foundation does not have an online ticketing system.

No, you can stay as long as you like, as long as you respect the closing time of the main gate.

Monday to Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Weekends: 9 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.

Yes. When you buy a ticket for a particular day, it is only valid for that day. You can also leave the space and, during the same day, re-enter to move freely around the spaces surrounding the House.

The Casa de Mateus Chapel and its gardens can be rented out for weddings. The conditions of use are subject to approval by the management of the Casa de Mateus Foundation and prior quotation. The Casa de Mateus Foundation does not provide any catering services, but companies that do can be contacted.

Casa de Mateus also has various spaces for organising lunches and dinners, depending on the type of group. The richly decorated Old Kitchen is a cosy space that can seat up to 25 people. The old Frasqueira, next to the main courtyard of the Palace, can accommodate groups of up to 80 people. All services are subject to prior reservation and confirmation of availability.

For more information: visitas@casademateus.pt or +351 259 323 121 (national landline).

Check out our special services TIpo de Visita - Special services (casademateus.pt)

In the first half of the 20th century, the world was experiencing the advances of the Industrial Revolution, and wine production in Europe was making a strong comeback after the problems caused by the phylloxera plague, which had decimated a large part of the vineyards a few years earlier.

It was in this context that, in 1942, D. Francisco de Sousa Botelho de Albuquerque, 6th Count of Vila Real, 5th Count of Melo and 3rd Count of Mangualde, and winemaker Fernando van Zeller Guedes, were inspired to create Mateus Rosé, which would be produced and marketed by Sogrape Vinhos S.A.. As the world was facing the Second World War, they both remembered the canteens used by soldiers and decided that the bottle of this wine would be based on this format. Its name was inspired by the House of Matthew, also because the grapes came from its vineyards.

As early as 1943, the newly created Mateus Rosé was exported to Rio de Janeiro, as it was well suited to the Brazilian public, and it didn't take long for the label to spread to the rest of the world.

The strategy used to get people to know the wine was to present the main ambassadors and consuls with two bottles: the first for them to try and the second to give to someone else. When these great personalities were seen tasting the wine, it was easy to identify that it was Mateus Rosé, as its shape was beautiful and exclusive.

The Casa de Mateus Friend Card is aimed at people from all backgrounds who want to create a regular relationship with Casa de Mateus, its heritage and its cultural programme. For a minimum annual investment, you can get discounts and privileged access to the House, the gardens, cultural events and a range of exclusive initiatives.

The meeting point for the group before the tour begins, is in the main courtyard of House.

In addition to the Casa de Mateus Foundation park, the spaces accessible to all are: the Bar, the Wine Shop and the old Frasqueira, where exhibitions are held from time to time.

On the first Sunday of each month, between November 2023 and March 2024, free access is allowed to the gardens and surrounding areas of Casa de Mateus, only for residents of the municipality of Vila Real.

The dates are:

• 5 NOVEMBER

• 3 DECEMBER (Anniversary of the Foundation of Casa de Mateus)

• 7 JANUARY

• 4 FEBRUARY

• 3 MARCH

The payment means available are: ATM (debit/credit), cash, bank cheques or bank transfer.

Casa de Mateus does not have a kitchen open to the public. However, it does have several spaces for organising lunches and dinners, depending on the type of group and after prior booking and confirmation of availability.

The richly decorated Old Kitchen is a cosy space that can seat up to 25 people. The old Frasqueira, next to the Palace's main courtyard, can accommodate groups of up to 80 people.

For more information: visitas@casademateus.pt or +351 259 323 121 (national landline).