History

The Casa de Campo, and the property it is located on, have a peculiar history that makes it a unique piece of rural architecture on Terceira Island, and particularly, in the Terra-Chã parish.

In the mid-19th century, the Silveira and Paulo brothers left Terceira Island in search of a better future. While the other brothers went to America, Domingos left for São Tomé and Príncipe. It was in this Portuguese archipelago (at the time) that he made his fortune through the cocoa business, first as an administrator of various plantations and later, along with the brothers (who had since come from America), as the owner of the "Colónia Açoriana" plantation.

In the late 19th century, they returned to Terceira Island and built sumptuous houses in the colonial style of the time, which became known as the "Casas dos Africanos" due to the origin of their wealth.

One of the Silveira and Paulo brothers (likely Francisco Jorge) built the Casa de Campo, now remodeled, in Terra-Chã as a summer estate. Marking his travels around the world, it proudly displays, in the entrance tank next to the house, in addition to the construction date, the head of an African with a colonial helmet sculpted in Azorean basalt.

The ground floor was intended for the storage of goods, fruits, and other farm produce. The upper floor was for habitation, with the attic dedicated to the servants' rooms. It also included an external building for the caretaker's residence.

This property thus represents an excellent example of chalets built in the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.

The property was later acquired by the family of the current owner. In the mid-20th century, Francisco Domingos Cota emigrated to the United States of America in search of a more prosperous life and returned with enough wealth to acquire this residence, as well as a large portion of the impetuous mountainous terrain. Due to the diminutive "Frank," commonly used in the United States to refer to Francisco, this name gave rise to the surname "Franco," a title that has remained to this day as "Casa do Franco da Serra."

Country House

Casa de Campo Franco da Serra results from the desire to rehabilitate an old summer house rich in history and traditions. By refurbishing the property to meet current needs and demands, the house has retained its original historical structure and character, seeking to promote the perfect balance between the past and the present.

Surrounded by a verdant mountain range, Casa de Campo presents the perfect refuge to renew energy through the tranquility provided by direct contact with nature.

With 6 suites available, Casa de Campo Franco da Serra features a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, and a kitchen equipped with a traditional wood-fired oven. It also has various outdoor green areas, including a large orchard, a swimming pool and barbecue area, as well as private parking.

The property that gave rise to Casa de Campo Franco da Serra has already secured its place in Portuguese literature. In the 2015 bestselling novel "Arquipélago," the author, Joel Neto, born in the parish (and who returned in 2012 after two decades in Lisbon), places in this exact house the residence of Luísa Bretão, the romantic heroine who ultimately ties the protagonist José Artur Drumonde to the island. The book is generally regarded as one of the main Portuguese epics with an Azorean theme, alongside "Mau Tempo no Canal" by Vitorino Nemésio and "Gente Feliz Com Lágrimas" by João de Melo, which are considered primary references.

The same author used the façade of the house on the cover of the first volume of his diary, "A Vida no Campo" (2016). This book, also a bestseller, received the Grand Prize for Biographical Literature from the Portuguese Writers' Association. From it, the phrase with which the parish paid tribute, at the new Miradouro das Veredas—overlooking the house precisely—is extracted: "And when we breathe in the air of Terra Chã, that innocent blend of warm milk, damp grass, and cow dung—at that time, we too (yes, we too) will believe in an escape."

Mission

From pride in the uniqueness of being Azorean arises the desire to introduce every corner of this archipelago and the traditions that endure from generation to generation.

From traditional Azorean hospitality arises the desire to provide unforgettable and personalized experiences to those who visit us.

From the passion for the region's nature and the rural heritage that endures, arises the desire to promote direct contact with nature and the adoption of sustainable tourism.

Our mission is thus summed up in providing each person who visits us with an experience that lingers in their memory, while revealing the hidden secrets of this unique archipelago, promoting responsible and sustainable tourism, and the timelessness of our traditions.

Team

Through a multidisciplinary and family-oriented team, we ensure an unforgettable and personalized experience for those who seek us out.

Diana Medeiros

Diogo Medeiros

Tomás Medeiros

Region

On Terceira Island, you will find a people rich in joy and hospitality.

With a mild climate, the island is rich in stories and traditions, as well as enviable gastronomic richness.

Its biodiversity is vast, and there is much to explore, whether on land or at sea.

In addition to the stunning beauty of natural landscapes, the island boasts a unique heritage. One of its cities, Angra do Heroísmo, has a historic center classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 due to its palaces, manor houses, convents, Renaissance churches, forts, fortresses, landscaped gardens, lively streets, and alleys filled with life and color.

The Terra-Chã parish, where Casa de Campo is located, maintains its rural structure associated with pastoral tradition, offering the comfort that the balance between rural life and urban proximity allows. In addition to its location (close to mountains and interior forests yet simultaneously near the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo), the parish offers a unique landscape with glimpses of the Pico and São Jorge Islands on its maritime horizon on the clearest days.

History

The Casa de Campo, and the property it is located on, have a peculiar history that makes it a unique piece of rural architecture on Terceira Island, and particularly, in the Terra-Chã parish.

In the mid-19th century, the Silveira and Paulo brothers left Terceira Island in search of a better future. While the other brothers went to America, Domingos left for São Tomé and Príncipe. It was in this Portuguese archipelago (at the time) that he made his fortune through the cocoa business, first as an administrator of various plantations and later, along with the brothers (who had since come from America), as the owner of the "Colónia Açoriana" plantation.

In the late 19th century, they returned to Terceira Island and built sumptuous houses in the colonial style of the time, which became known as the "Casas dos Africanos" due to the origin of their wealth.

One of the Silveira and Paulo brothers (likely Francisco Jorge) built the Casa de Campo, now remodeled, in Terra-Chã as a summer estate. Marking his travels around the world, it proudly displays, in the entrance tank next to the house, in addition to the construction date, the head of an African with a colonial helmet sculpted in Azorean basalt.

The ground floor was intended for the storage of goods, fruits, and other farm produce. The upper floor was for habitation, with the attic dedicated to the servants' rooms. It also included an external building for the caretaker's residence.

This property thus represents an excellent example of chalets built in the transition from the 19th to the 20th century.

The property was later acquired by the family of the current owner. In the mid-20th century, Francisco Domingos Cota emigrated to the United States of America in search of a more prosperous life and returned with enough wealth to acquire this residence, as well as a large portion of the impetuous mountainous terrain. Due to the diminutive "Frank," commonly used in the United States to refer to Francisco, this name gave rise to the surname "Franco," a title that has remained to this day as "Casa do Franco da Serra."

Country House

Casa de Campo Franco da Serra results from the desire to rehabilitate an old summer house rich in history and traditions. By refurbishing the property to meet current needs and demands, the house has retained its original historical structure and character, seeking to promote the perfect balance between the past and the present.

Surrounded by a verdant mountain range, Casa de Campo presents the perfect refuge to renew energy through the tranquility provided by direct contact with nature.

With 6 suites available, Casa de Campo Franco da Serra features a living room with a fireplace, a dining room, and a kitchen equipped with a traditional wood-fired oven. It also has various outdoor green areas, including a large orchard, a swimming pool and barbecue area, as well as private parking.

The property that gave rise to Casa de Campo Franco da Serra has already secured its place in Portuguese literature. In the 2015 bestselling novel "Arquipélago," the author, Joel Neto, born in the parish (and who returned in 2012 after two decades in Lisbon), places in this exact house the residence of Luísa Bretão, the romantic heroine who ultimately ties the protagonist José Artur Drumonde to the island. The book is generally regarded as one of the main Portuguese epics with an Azorean theme, alongside "Mau Tempo no Canal" by Vitorino Nemésio and "Gente Feliz Com Lágrimas" by João de Melo, which are considered primary references.

The same author used the façade of the house on the cover of the first volume of his diary, "A Vida no Campo" (2016). This book, also a bestseller, received the Grand Prize for Biographical Literature from the Portuguese Writers' Association. From it, the phrase with which the parish paid tribute, at the new Miradouro das Veredas—overlooking the house precisely—is extracted: "And when we breathe in the air of Terra Chã, that innocent blend of warm milk, damp grass, and cow dung—at that time, we too (yes, we too) will believe in an escape."

Mission

From pride in the uniqueness of being Azorean arises the desire to introduce every corner of this archipelago and the traditions that endure from generation to generation.

From traditional Azorean hospitality arises the desire to provide unforgettable and personalized experiences to those who visit us.

From the passion for the region's nature and the rural heritage that endures, arises the desire to promote direct contact with nature and the adoption of sustainable tourism.

Our mission is thus summed up in providing each person who visits us with an experience that lingers in their memory, while revealing the hidden secrets of this unique archipelago, promoting responsible and sustainable tourism, and the timelessness of our traditions.

Team

Through a multidisciplinary and family-oriented team, we ensure an unforgettable and personalized experience for those who seek us out.

Diana Medeiros

Diogo Medeiros

Tomás Medeiros

Region

On Terceira Island, you will find a people rich in joy and hospitality.

With a mild climate, the island is rich in stories and traditions, as well as enviable gastronomic richness.

Its biodiversity is vast, and there is much to explore, whether on land or at sea.

In addition to the stunning beauty of natural landscapes, the island boasts a unique heritage. One of its cities, Angra do Heroísmo, has a historic center classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983 due to its palaces, manor houses, convents, Renaissance churches, forts, fortresses, landscaped gardens, lively streets, and alleys filled with life and color.

The Terra-Chã parish, where Casa de Campo is located, maintains its rural structure associated with pastoral tradition, offering the comfort that the balance between rural life and urban proximity allows. In addition to its location (close to mountains and interior forests yet simultaneously near the historic center of Angra do Heroísmo), the parish offers a unique landscape with glimpses of the Pico and São Jorge Islands on its maritime horizon on the clearest days.

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