Quinta de Arealva
LOST PLACE — BRIDGE VIEW
Another lost place. In a grand setting beneath the red bridge. Visit before the construction fences arrive.
Head to Almada. You could almost park right at the door. However, that’s a bit cumbersome and not much faster than a walk along the docks, which will also lead you to Quinta de Arealva. There, you can see the remains of a trading empire.
Originally, the area was a military installation, like many forts built during the Restoration War, but it wasn’t much needed. It was acquired by Seán Ó Néill: the nobleman emigrated from his present-day Northern Irish homeland in 1740 and became a welcome investor with top-notch connections. Specifically, he took over a fortress converted into living quarters, opulent vineyards, and a thriving cooperage in Arealva.
In the 1860s, the docks of Almada were established, where products other than wine, such as olive oil and oranges, were traded. The parallel street to the quay is named after a coffee bean, ”Olho de Boi,” literally Bull's Eye. The decline of the entire area came with the construction of the bridge in the 1960s, which shifted trade to land routes. Nevertheless, the ”Sociedade Vinícola Sul de Portugal” sold Arealva and Benfica wines until 1980, which are admittedly rare but still available to collectors. No idea if the stuff is still drinkable.
Carlos O’Neill is the son of a lord who fled County Tyrone in 1740 due to economic and religious issues. He became a Knight of Christ and married into the Hanseatic League, creating an economic empire that the king himself visited. The Irish-Portuguese-German O’Neill family remains prominent on the Lisbon South Bay to this day.
Today, the entire site is a safely accessible ruin with fantastic graffiti and grand views. Even a five-minute detour into the overgrown garden is worth it. As for the future, we’re caught in the depths of a clique that acquired this prime real estate in 2020 for six million euros out of bankruptcy. Though it remains to be seen, it’s not surprising to expect an advertisement for lofts with a view of Lisbon.