It was the initiative of a prominent figure of the time, Jeremias da Conceição Dias that endowed Marvão with its first hotel.
Heir to a home that he joined to the neighbouring house, the one of the sexton, which he then acquired, built up and placed an inn with five rooms, which he suggestively called "Ninho D'Águias" (Eagles’ Nest).
About ten years later, it was integrated into the network of Pousadas by the S.N.I., expanding it to an eight bedroom establishment and taking advantage of the large balcony to turn it into a glass restaurant, from which you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view.
It went from eight bedrooms to thirteen in 1987, taking use of a little garden attached to the restaurant and in 1992; after shutting down for fifteen months for remodelling it reopened with 28 double rooms and 1 suite.
During this reconstruction, a former foundry in ruins, located in front of the original Pousada building, was recuperated. The location of the restaurant was kept, slightly expanded, and the old bedrooms were transformed into the current living area/bar with a fireplace ideal for cold winter nights. A nearby piece of land was used as a panoramic terrace.
The Pousada has various characteristics that make this a place of choice. The atmosphere of the rooms and common areas are welcoming, the decoration is simple and an almost family environment.
The rooms appeal to two types of completely different tastes: some offer a view of the extensive mountainous landscape which you can enjoy from this lofty town; others are turned towards the village, emerging the visitor into the medieval streets, alleys and lanes with houses of granite and chalk colours.
The History of Marvão
Above the flight of the hawks, spanning the horizon as if it was an eagle’s nest hanging at the top of a wilderness mountain, gives us the general definition of Marvão, the land where the birds are seen from above, also considered to be the highest town in Portugal.
You can see the town in its entirety, a huddle of white houses with iron wrought balconies and typical windows, crowded into narrow winding streets, some of them on steep stairs, giving you a vision of one of the most characteristic medieval boroughs.
The castle stands powerful and protective on top of a steep granite hill at an altitude of 862m; it is recommended that you visit on a clear day so that you may enjoy the stunning panorama that is offered of the lands of Portugal and Spain. Built in suave and original lines in a form of a boat, the fortress seems to complement the rocky ridge where it is located.
The Castle is big and spacious with, besides the main entrance, many other doors giving access to the interior at the end of which is an imposing Dungeon Tower that rises to a considerable height.
One of its most beautiful works is the Cistern, a magnificent construction of strong domed arches, in which open three large skylights that provide some light to the interior. It has sufficient space to supply the town for around 6 months, since a lack of water was the only thing feared in the case of a war and long siege.
As to the origins of the town, there appears to be no doubt that the initial borough was Moorish. It was through the admirable strategic positioning that the Moorish began the fortification.