Casa d’Agrela: its history
La casa d’Agrela is an old stone farmhouse typical of northern Portugal. Located in the heart of the village of Afife, in the Minho region, it dates back to the early 18th century. Surrounded by greenery and small mountains with natural streams running through them, it’s just a 10-minute walk from a magnificent beach with fine sand dunes, facing the Atlantic Ocean.
The building belongs to Susana and has been in her family since it was built in 1705.
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Originally home to the farm’s animals (cows, pigs and chickens), it was self-sufficient thanks to its drinking water well and the surrounding cultivated land. An imposing stone hearth and oven were used to bake the region’s traditional corn bread, and to fumigate meats and cured meats. The vines provided the wine. The farm remained in operation until the early 1970s.
In love with the region and driven by a desire to return to the essentials and authenticity, Susana and Jean Marc wanted to create a place of calm, rejuvenation and sharing. La Casa d’Agrela was conceived as a place where you can recharge your batteries far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and the hectic pace of the city, and take some time for yourself.
After three years of renovation, this ancestral home has been given a new lease of life. Today, modern comforts and the charm of yesteryear coexist in harmony in the former barn, which has been transformed into a gîte to provide a holiday destination as well as training and retreat facilities.
Who we are
Susana: Doctor of Medicine, graduated in 1995 from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, I first devoted over 20 years to clinical practice and medical research and development in private companies. My interest and passion for the intricacies of the human psyche, as well as my own life experiences, naturally drew me to the symbol as a therapeutic tool, and convinced me of the importance of harmonizing physical, psychological and emotional health.
Today, in addition to my work as manager of Casa d’Agrela, I offer individual coaching sessions to those who wish to move towards greater self-awareness and self-knowledge.
Jean Marc: After studying directing arts and cultural activities at INSAS, I went on to work as an assistant director in Brussels, before moving on to opera, notably at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie.
Gradually, as I moved further and further away from this field in favor of spiritual and cultural voyages of discovery in India, Nepal and Asia, I felt the desire to return to simplicity and the balance of nature as a fundamental aspect of an ethic and philosophy of life, in particular by initiating an approach based on permaculture.
Our mission is to create a haven of peace, where everyone can find themselves, recharge their batteries and reconnect with what’s truly important. We designed Casa d’Agrela to offer a warm, human setting, a place where modern comforts are combined with the simplicity of nature, to enable everyone to take care of their body and mind.
Here, you’ll find a space where authenticity and connection to others take on their full meaning, a concrete and real place where the human is at the center. We want to be of service by offering a refuge to those seeking a place to recharge their batteries and get back to basics.
The Pilgrim's Way to Santiago de Compostela
The village of Afife lies on the route of the Portuguese Way of St. James, which runs north along the coast of Portugal and crosses the Miño river into Galicia. The Portuguese Way is the second most popular route to Santiago de Compostela, but remains relatively uncrowded. This provides the perfect balance between the opportunity to meet new people and the need for a little solitude on the journey.
What to do/visit
- Visit the region’s many typical markets, where you’ll find regional and artisanal products (olive oil, honey, cheeses and cold meats, among others).
- Visit nearby towns such as Porto, with its port wine cellars along the Douro river, Guimaraes, the cradle of the ancient Kings of Portugal, or Braga and its Bom Jesus.
- Enjoy the exuberant natural beauty of the area on one of the many trails (trilhos).
- Laze and relax on the beautiful sandy beaches within a 10-minute walk of the gîte, or surf for the more sporty.
- https://www.vagamundos.pt/passadicos-de-melgaco-rio-minho/
- https://www.trilhosecaminhadas.com/percursos/trilho-das-cascatas-e-lagoas-da-serra-d-arga-vct/
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