Casa de Mateus Foundation

The Casa de Mateus Foundation, based in Vila Real, is an institution with Public Utility Status, with missions of social interest in the heritage, cultural, educational and scientific fields.

It manages a National Monument, recognised in 1910, consisting of: The Baroque Manor House, built in the mid-18th century to a design by Nicolau Nasoni; the Chapel, inaugurated in 1759 and erected by Mestre Alves do Rego; the Casa das Adegas, a building already occupied by the family in the last quarter of the 16th century and extended in the 19th century; as well as several support buildings traditionally used for agricultural purposes. The Casa de Mateus Park, which protects the Monument, covers 35 hectares, 26 of which are walled, and consists of historic gardens, an educational vegetable garden, vineyards and a woodland area.

Based on a plural understanding of the concept of heritage, which includes, on the one hand, the historical and cultural legacy, its preservation, interpretation and availability to the contemporary public and, on the other, an environmental legacy that affirms an increased responsibility in the defense and regeneration of this other heritage, the FCM is seeking a strategy to face the transitions in the climatic, digital and social domains. The cultural programmes developed by the Foundation cross a particular focus on baroque culture and art forms with an intense programme of visual and performative contemporary arts. The Foundation is also a dissemination partner in scientific projects lead by the University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro – UTAD, concerning environmental issues like soil health, circular economy and healthy agriculture.

Mission

The preservation, restoration and improvement of the monument “Casa de Mateus”, the study, cataloguing and promotion of the archive, as well as the production of artistic, cultural and educational activities that are consistent with its heritage.

Geographic Focus

Portugal

Programme Areas

The Foudation’s main activity concerns the preservation and dinamization of a legacy materialized in the National Monument it manages, open as a Museum and public Park since 1961.

The Foundation’s cultural and artistic activities take the form of a multidisciplinary programme, anchored in a programme of artistic residencies, research and training projects that give a permanent subtext to the Foundation’s work, as well as a regular offer in the fields of visual arts, music, theatre, dance and literature. In association with other entities, such as the Francisco Manuel dos Santos Foundation or SEDES – Association for Economic and Social Development, we develop a programme of strategic reflection on contemporary issues in transit between the territory and global issues.

In the field of education, the Foundation offers seasonal workshops centred on heritage and the relationship between art and the landscape, as well as a protocol for hosting school visits. In the field of environmental action, over the next few years the Foundation will be involved in four research projects, in partnership with the University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro (UTAD): LivingSoiLL, a project that aims to increase soil literacy; UvineSafe, which aims to test the prototype of a UV radiation system; Vitex, which seeks the integrated valorisation of wine-growing waste; DATI – Digital Agriculture Technologies for Irrigation efficiency, which aims to develop new solutions in the field of digital agriculture.

The Foundation’s participation in these projects, on varying scales, gives shape to the School of Transitions project, a mechanism for research and action in the fields of ecological and digital transitions.

The Foundation is also looking for ways to give its immediate surroundings a sense of the bigger picture, in line with its historical vocation as a centre for structuring and territorial planning. To this end, the Foundation is working with CEIIA, a laboratory that develops new technologies for a sustainable future, to develop a protection plan for the Mata de Mateus, with a view to preserving it as a biodiversity reserve and an essential contribution to carbon neutrality.