Casa da Alfândega, one of Vila Real de Santo António’s most symbolic historic buildings, is set to reopen under municipal management after being closed to the public for years.
The agreement, reached with the concessionaire of the nearby Hotel Bordoy Grand House Algarve (formerly Hotel Guadiana), returns the property to public hands 20 years earlier than originally planned, the municipal council has announced in a statement.
When the concession contract was signed in 2015, it allowed for the private use of both the hotel and the Customs House until 2045. While the hotel was developed, the Casa da Alfândega remained shuttered and inaccessible. But with this new deal, the building will once again serve residents and visitors, without additional costs to the local budget, the council guarantees. In exchange, the company was granted another property, while the hotel agreement remained unchanged.
The restored building will house a new exhibition space and accommodate municipal services linked to heritage preservation.
Part of the Pombaline Historic Centre, classified as a Public Interest Site, the Casa da Alfândega has a special place in the town’s history. It was the first building completed during the foundation of Vila Real de Santo António in the 18th century. Standing by the fishing societies and marked by its two watchtowers, it was central to controlling trade with Spain and fighting smuggling, playing a crucial role in shaping the town.
