The property is on two floors On the edge of the village overlooking the River Mira,With willow trees, Bullrushes, Otters, Egrets, Mongoose, only a few metres from the door.It is situated just a short way from the wonderful Santa Clara Lake, for swimming, fishing, boating etc.. This region has been poular with people who enjoy the true natural side of Portugal (Rather than the concrete of the Algarve)-for many years. There are four bedrooms upstairs with two en-suite shower rooms & one shower room to be shared by the other two guest rooms. Downstairs is a lot larger than upstairs with Traditional walk in Fireplace, Great Tiled Arches giving traditional atmosphere. Downstairs has been open as a Bar/ Restaurant for many years with a kitchen area ( with another large chimney) Enclosed Marbled Garden area, Lounge area etc. Another large area has been partially renovated with the idea of becoming a private owners apartment. This is uncompleted as yet.( All the walls & roof are present) A Further two bedroomed cottage (Sometimes used as owners home, sometimes let as a self catering cottage)adjacent to the property, could also be purchased if desired.
This property is perfect for a Private Home close to all amenities & surrounded by nature or a backpackers hostel or small personal B&B- but could equally be used as a cafe/bar/restaurant. It has a valid license to run as a Cafe/Snackbar (alcohol license)
Santa Clara-a-Velha has been called the prettiest Village in Portugal & I believe that it is. It is also the friendliest village I have ever known, it has restaurants, small supermarkets, & a beautiful church dedicated to Saint Claire of Assisi ( Santa Clara) Tourists are both Portuguese & international attracted for walking, Bird watching, Nature watching, Painting, Photography Canoeing, Cycling, Swimming, Boating & of course Fishing ( Santa Clara Lake held the international record for wide mouth Bass). Santa Clara Lake is one of the largest & the very cleanest of all european open waters. It is a stunning, peaceful place-- one which it is very easy to fall in love with & very hard to leave.
The LIsbon/Algarve train line stops two kilometres from the village (Santa Clara/Saboia Station) & is serviced by two taxis who bring guests to the door of A-Chamine for less than 5 euros, so it is easy to access. Guests can arrive from either Faro or Lisbon airports but Faro is a lot closer. A Chamine is very easy to find by road for those that hire their own vehicles & is apx. one hour from Faro airport & two & a half hours south of Lisbon airport.
The stunning west coast beaches are apx. 30 mins away
on deserted quiet country roads. A trip to the Algarve beaches of Albufeira. Portimao etc. takes apx 40 mins.
Most of the building is made in massive portuguese style with walls well over half a metre thick the more modern additions have been made with reinforced concrete pillars etc. conforming to a high earthquake specification.
This is an unusual atmospheric building & has been used as the central 'space' of the village for nearly one hundred years with marriages, babtisms etc being celebrated here.
A Chamine is for sale as I am emigrating to Australia.
The Santa Clara region is an enchanting area to live in.