Country house in Elvas, Portalegre District

Where a locksmith shop once stood, an apartment has emergedone we affectionately call a home due to its total independence from the rest of the buildingoffering views over the old town and the rolling Spanish countryside. This private, extraordinary haven has served as a place of inspiration for a talented artist. Here, books are written, and fabrics are woven just as they were in times past. A special house with special stories.

The residence is an exercise in intimacy with the city: completely shielded from street-level view, yet opening entirely to the south through a large panoramic window that frames breathtaking vistas.

The entire interior was designed to integrate local materials, such as handcrafted Estremoz hydraulic mosaic tiles and decorative architectural details created by the master artisans who worked on the restoration of Elvas' military fortifications.

Outdoor areas were created where none existed in the original floor plan, while carefully preserving the locksmith's original forge in the Moorish-style courtyard, which can be used as an outdoor fireplace in winter. Traditional paired stonework, terracotta slabs, and stone corbels supporting wooden beams were all faithfully restored and kept.

The bedroom offers an atmosphere inspired by traditional Alentejo architecture, featuring a playful arrangement of handmade terracotta tiles from São Pedro do Corval. The bathroom features a spacious area with double showers, offering the choice of a relaxing seated bath or a standing shower, both with direct access to the courtyard.

To reach the large rooftop terrace (açoteia), you ascend via reclaimed wooden stairs, passing through a charming small mezzanine. From the terrace, the entire city unfolds before you.

Epoxy resin flooring along with a unified white finish across the ceilings and walls reinforce a summer atmosphere that lasts all year round. Kitchen and bathroom cabinetry crafted from polished concrete and raw polished wood pair seamlessly with repurposed pieces throughout the home.

Nineteenth-century Lisbon tiles line the walls, while an eighteenth-century tile panel adorns a door specifically designed to highlight the authentic Portuguese spirit of the property. Hand-molded Moorish-inspired ornaments, crafted on site, reflect the architectural character that defines the historic city of Elvas.

Technical Notes
Complete Renovation: The entire space underwent a full renovation approximately 6 years ago, retaining only the original exterior walls. The roof was completely rebuilt with high-quality insulation against extreme summer and winter temperatures.

Climate Control: Equipped with a reversible Bosch A/C unit in the bedroom for quick temperature adjustment, as well as a wood-burning stove with output tailored specifically to the volume of the entire interior, including the bathroom. Double-glazed window frames throughout.

Property Status: The home is part of a horizontal property building. It enjoys the complete independence of a detached house, though a commercial space exists on a lower slope of the hill beneath it, completely out of view.

*Elvas is a historic Portuguese city in the Portalegre district (Alentejo region), located just 8 km from the border with Spain (Badajoz). Known as the 'Queen of the Border,' it houses the world's largest set of star-shaped bulwark fortifications, designated a unesco world Heritage site on June 30, 2012.

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Energy Rating: C
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