The Quinta das Minas da Recheira, known in the region as 'Minas do Alemão,' is located in the village of Barco, a bucolic settlement with a splendid landscape that stretches along the northern bank of the Zêzere River. For many years, this river crossing served as a passage for people and goods, which is how the village got its name.
The region is characterized by fertile soil and a typical climate, primarily dedicated to agriculture. Cereals, potatoes, and vegetables are cultivated, while the valleys are dominated by pastures that support an important livestock population, both domesticated and wild.
Notable landmarks include the Parish Church, the Roman Fountain, the Alminhas (small roadside shrines), a river beach on the Zêzere River, and the ruins of a Roman camp.
Quinta das Minas da Recheira is located south of the Zêzere River, in the locality of Barco, part of the Barco and Coutada parish union, in the municipality of Covilhã, district of Castelo Branco, within the Beira Interior region. It is nestled between the Serra da Estrela and the Serra da Gardunha, in the southeasternmost part of Castelo Branco, bordering the municipality of Fundão.
The estate is approximately 16 km in a straight line from the Serra da Estrela - Torres, around 23 km from Covilhã, 22 km from Fundão, 56 km from Castelo Branco, and 280 km from Lisbon. The region's topography is generally rugged, with the mining deposit located at an altitude of 407 meters above sea level. Being situated in a valley, it benefits from the presence of the Zêzere River, known as the Zêzere Ecological Corridor, as well as some secondary waterways.
The rocky hillside terrain is primarily covered with pine trees, cork oaks, holm oaks, and other native trees. Over 50 years ago, this estate housed an old tin and tungsten mining operation, which was later abandoned and frozen in time. It has since been transformed into a Mining, Environmental, and Rural Tourism site, offering guided tourist, educational, and scientific tours of the mining complex, wine tastings, and events inside the various mining galleries.
The former miners' buildings are intended to be converted into agritourism accommodations. This well-known mineral deposit, referred to as Quinta das Minas da Recheira, or more commonly as 'Mina do Alemão,' has proven to be of economic interest due to the presence of metallic minerals such as tin and tungsten.
Beyond the extraordinary restoration of the abandoned mining complex, which has transformed it into a special and magical place, nature has also played a role in creating a unique and unparalleled setting.
The estate has two direct access points to the Zêzere River, and in this stretch of the river adjacent to the estate, water sports can be practiced, as the river maintains a sufficient water flow even at the height of summer.
Since one of the estate's boundaries is the 'Zêzere Riverbed,' the property title legally extends to the riverbed itself. This means that for any type of licensing related to the Zêzere River, such as building a dock, engaging in water sports, fishing, or river navigation, authorization falls under the Portuguese Environment Agency (Apa) and the Captaincy of the Port of Figueira da Foz. However, licensing is significantly easier and does not require approval from additional entities, as the property extends to the river itself.
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