A place
made to
be sacred.
Dr. Gamelas' house
This is the name by which everyone knows it, a place with a happy history. Originating in the 17th century, it wasn’t until the early 20th century that it took on its current form.
Perfectly situated, it feels like the heart of everything we need: supermarket, bakery, cafes, chapels, canals, and shopping, just a 2-minute walk from downtown Aveiro.
Despite being just a few steps away from the urban center, you can wake up to the chirping of birds and feel a clear sense of peace.
That’s why we chose to purchase and renovate the house, aiming to make it contemporary while preserving the energy that drew us to it in the first place.
A Complete Renovation
With fine taste and a spirit of preservation, the renovation was done with the help of Lisbon based architect Mariana Neto. The result: top-quality materials, clever use of space, sunlight sculpting every corner, and lots of love and dedication poured into it.
The house exudes a positive energy and strong spirituality. Following the Oriental principles of Feng-Shui, every room is lived in, with no empty or unused spaces. You can see it and feel it throughout the house.
When you experience the house, you immediately sense there’s something special about it. That’s why we invite everyone interested to come visiting us in Aveiro. A trip that will always be worth it.
Before: It had huge potential
Then: it began to have light, beauty and, above all, a great energy
It all starts with the garden. Right in the city center, with birds singing and a tranquility that soothes the soul.
The garden is a central part of the house, a true living space.
With access from the living and dinning room, or straight from the garage, the garden was designed to be used constantly.
The fruit trees produce pears, lemons and oranges with which we make juice or a delicious margarita to drink while listening to the stillness, interrupted only by the birdsong.
It also produces aromatic herbs that can be harvested while cooking – such as basil.
São Gonçalinho
With Portuguese origin, São Gonçalo is believed to have lived in the 12th-13th centuries. Known affectionately as "our little boy" in Aveiro, he's a saint associated with matchmaking, protector against bone diseases, and the people of Beira-Mar - the neighborhood along the canals where his temple stands, once a hermitage of S. Gonçalo and over the centuries converted into a chapel for the community.
São Gonçalinho blessed
The significance of São Gonçalinho, his history as a beloved and protective saint, and the fact that the house was once home to monks of the Order of Carmelitas Descalços led us to maintain that umbilical connection. We had a new statue sculpted by a local artist and asked Dominican Order’s friars to come bless our statue and the altar in the garden. It was an unforgettable night and a gesture that certainly contributes to the good energy emanating from this house.
Main features
Total land area - 635 m2
Total building area - 331 m2
Yard - 412 m2
Annexes - 57 m2 - Fully equipped with kitchen and bathroom, it can function as a Guest House and can even be rented since it has an independent entrance to the house.
4 bathrooms, 3 suites, 4 bedrooms, large living room, dining room, kitchen, office, annex fully equipped to be an independent guest house in a large garden and 2 parking spaces.
Statue of S. Gonçalinho blessed by Dominican Order’s friars.
Other Features
Rest for a better life
Both the suits and bathrooms exude the same energy and peace as the rest of the house. You feel it when sleeping and, more importantly, when waking up.
Shared Spaces
The energy here isn't any different from the rest of the house. Since the space radiates good vibes, what happens in the common areas is intensified by the people's presence. It's something you have to experience to understand.
Meditation Room
Actually, it's the attic of the house, which, being bright and having the same special tranquility and peace, we use it as a space for meditation and prayer.
Guest House
The annex located in the garden is fully equipped with a bathroom and kitchen, making it a small apartment for use by guests.
As it has independent access, it can even be rented, for anyone who wants extra income or simple the experience of interacting with other people.
A place to be happy
Enjoy a place filled with love and happiness in the heart of Aveiro, a unique city in Portugal.
This incredible house has been a haven for us, and now it’s ready to welcome new owners who wish a place filled with a wonderful positive energy.
Watch our video to discover your new place to be happy!
FAQ
Yes. The renovation was designed by Lisbon based architect Mariana Neto and it was comprehensive. The entire interior structure was modernized, including windows, roof, plumbing, flooring, and electrical wiring. It’s a historic house with a completely modern interior. The best of both worlds.
For anyone from the EU or cities like Lisbon or Porto, the cost of living in Aveiro is quite low, still reflecting the prices of “authentic” Portugal.
Balanced. Aveiro has a traditional population with centuries-old values, a lot of enlightened youth from the university, and a perfect amount of good tourism, both domestic, European, and neighboring Spain, which is quite close.
Although it’s quite a traditional city – the correct term would be “authentic”-, Aveiro is the capital of the district with the same name – one of the richest in Portugal. It’s very close to Porto, well-served by road and rail networks. It has an urban, rural, and beach environment – quite homogeneous, making it a place liked by all kinds of people.
The right answer would be both. It’s peripheral in the sense that as a former fishing neighborhood, very traditional, maintaining a spirit and atmosphere filled with the good values of the “old times.” It’s central because it’s close to everything the city offers, a neighborhood where “everything happens” just two minutes from downtown. It’s like living in a village located in the heart of a big city.
It has the best rate that can be achieved by a historic house. Practically speaking, it’s easy to heat in winter and to cool in summer. A house in permanent spring.
Even before the renovations, there was something special felt when entering the property. Many people approached us when they realized we had acquired the property and shared stories or happy episodes experienced in the house. We carried out the renovations with the intention of respecting that atmosphere and followed the Feng-Shui approach. We also placed a statue of São Gonçalinho on the garden altar and asked the Dominican Order’s friars to bless it. All of this enveloped the house with an atmosphere of peace and harmony that is felt as soon as you enter. It’s not possible to convey that in a photograph or on a website. It really has to be experienced firsthand.
Yes. In addition to excellent road connections, Aveiro has high-speed train connections and a station where all high speed trains stop, with free parking, which allows you to leave your car indefinitely and travel by train wherever you want. Furthermore, it is less than 60 km by motorway from Porto, where there is an international airport with direct connection to more than 15 countries.