Parque da Mina

Welcome to Parque da Mina, a unique destination where the history of the Algarve's interior meets the wild beauty of the Monchique mountains. We are far from the crowded beaches and high-rise hotels of the coast, in a place where…

The centerpiece of the park is 'O Casarão,' a beautifully preserved manor house that dates back to the early eighteenth century. As you walk through its rooms, you are stepping back into the daily life of a wealthy agricultural…

A short walk from the manor house takes us to a very different side of history: the old iron mine. This region of Monchique is rich in minerals, and mining has been a part of the local economy since at least the Roman era. …

No traditional estate would be complete without its farm, and at Parque da Mina, this aspect of life is vibrantly represented. The farmyard is home to a variety of animals that were essential to the rural economy of the Algarve…

The mountains of Monchique are famous for their unique products and crafts, and Parque da Mina provides a stage for several of these. One of the most iconic is the production of 'Medronho,' a potent fruit brandy made from the…

Beyond the historical buildings and the mine, Parque da Mina is a celebration of the natural world. The park is crisscrossed by a network of nature trails that allow you to explore the botanical diversity of the Monchique…

One of the most charming stops in the park is the reconstructed traditional grocery store, or 'venda.' In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, these stores were the social and economic heart of rural villages. They were…

As we conclude our journey through Parque da Mina, let us take a moment to look back at the various worlds we have explored. From the elegant salons of the Casarão to the dark tunnels of the iron mine, and from the busy farmyard…