Nicolau Nasoni, the man who had a lasting impact on Portuguese Baroque architecture, helped design this noble estate in Vila Real.

The palace is agreed as one of the finest Baroque civil buildings, constructed in extravagant style for the 3rd Morgado of Mateus in the first half of the 18th century.

The property is still owned by his descendants, and the only way to see the richly furnished property is on a tour.

Some of the best bits inside are the library, which has little iron lanterns and the dining hall with a carved wooden ceiling.

On the grounds there’s a chapel, water garden, a garden of box hedges in filigree patterns and a “Túnel de Cedro” natural tunnel made from interlinking cedar branches.