Anyone who arrives in Covilhã and looks at the mountain will see a monumental, orange-hued façade set among the rocks. Built between 1928 and 1936 and located at just over 1,200 metres above sea level, the building used to be the Penhas da Saúde Sanatorium and was designed to treat tuberculosis-related problems. For those interested in the place’s history, there’s a brief overview in each of the pousada’s 92 rooms.
Opened in 2014, the Serra da Estrela Pousada is popular with families whose children are eager to play in the snow and travel to the highest point in mainland Portugal. “They’re the ones bringing their parents here,” says Teresa Silveira, pousada manager, who is keen to point out that Serra da Estrela is also beautiful in warmer weather.
In summer, there’s someone who organises activities in the park with the little ones. For the adults, there are trails with breathtaking views, like the one leading to the Alto dos Livros viewpoint, where, on a clear day, you can see the Spanish mountains.
The original building, which was constructed between the 1920s and 1930s, was designed by the architect Cottinelli Telmo. A few original features survived the refurbishment, such as the two iron lifts and the impressive façade, which extends for over 160 metres. Until 2011, when the Pestana Group began the restoration, it had been abandoned for more than four decades, having only reopened for the traditional snow carnivals of the Covilhã National Mountaineering Club and to house 700 people returning from former colonies during in the post-revolution period (April 1974).
Eduardo Souto Moura had to resort to old photos to redesign the place’s history. The Porto architect decided on minimalism and soft tones, such as white, grey and blue. Some may find certain options odd, such as the bathroom décor, which is reminiscent of a hospital ward, however, the main aim was always to preserve the place’s past.
For example, the so-called curative balconies on the third floor, where patients would sunbathe, have been maintained. Silveira explains that guests can now relax on sun loungers, while sipping a Beira wine at one of the wooden tables there. “There has to be a balance between the place’s history and the comfort of a hotel.”
Essentials
