Technical Visit to Casa de Juste – Rural Tourism

On 24 February, the final visit of the 4th edition of the Advanced Programme in Rural Tourism took place at Casa de Juste, in the parish of Torno, Lousada.

This sixteenth-century manor house displays an architecture that runs from the medieval to the baroque, with unique features such as a Manueline window and a sixteenth-century gilded woodwork altar in the chapel. Converted for historic house tourism, Casa de Juste has kept its original charm, and visitors single out its delightful gardens and its food as the highlights.

Figure: entrance sign at Casa de Juste

Figure: façade of the main building at Casa de Juste

The visit was led by one of the current owners, Fernando Guedes, who began by showing the communal areas of the "Casa do Pátio", one of the properties available to guests.

Figure: Fernando Guedes

Figures: sitting room of the Casa do Pátio.

Throughout the visit, the owner shared the fascinating history of Casa de Juste, explaining in detail how it is run and the workshops held on the estate. The students on the Advanced Programme were taken through the dining area, where breakfast is served.

Figures: dining area of the Casa do Pátio.

The visit continued with a tour of the bedrooms, giving participants a deeper understanding of the facilities and of the types of accommodation available.

Figures: bedroom of the Casa do Pátio.

The visit went on through the grounds, taking in the pool area and the vineyard, and participants were also able to explore the estate chapel.

Figure: participants and trainers beside the main house.

Figure: another accommodation option, the "Casa de Cocheira"

Figures: chapel

Moving on to another part of the gardens, participants were taken to the owners' residence, where they saw the sitting room, hung with photographs and paintings that tell the story of Casa de Juste, and the dining room, where the family hosts its convivial dinners.

Figures: gardens beside the house

Figures: communal areas of the house

The visit to the estate ended with an afternoon tea prepared by the owner, Ana Guedes. Participants tasted delicacies produced at Casa de Juste, such as vinho verde, preserves and traditional sweets from the Lousada area. Tea was served in the rustic main kitchen of the house, which is normally used for cookery workshops.

At the end, participants visited the Casa de Juste shop, where they had the chance to buy the produce they had sampled during the visit.

Figure: the class and teaching staff of the Advanced Programme in Rural Tourism with Fernando Guedes