Historic 18th-Century Barracks in Almeida Offered for Hotel Conversion
The Portuguese government has officially opened a public tender for the concession of the Quartel das Esquadras, a historic 18th-century infantry barracks located in the fortified town of Almeida, in the district of Guarda. The announcement was made on September 1st, marking the latest heritage property to be made available under the national Revive Program. The objective is to transform the currently vacant building into a tourist establishment, such as a hotel or a collection of local accommodation units.
The public tender outlines a 50-year concession period for the property. The successful concessionaire will be tasked with carrying out all necessary requalification and renovation works to adapt the historic structure for its new purpose. According to the official notice published in the Diário da República, the government has set a minimum annual rent of 8,579 euros. The building itself offers a substantial footprint, with a total construction area of 2,834 square meters. The deadline for the submission of proposals from interested private investors is December 27, 2025.
The Revive Program, a joint initiative by the Ministries of Economy, Culture, and Finance, was launched in 2016 to facilitate the restoration and economic valorization of underutilized state-owned properties with significant heritage value. By offering long-term concessions to private entities, the program aims to attract investment into the tourism sector while ensuring the preservation of national landmarks. To date, the program has included dozens of castles, monasteries, forts, and other historic buildings across Portugal.
The Quartel das Esquadras is a notable example of 18th-century baroque military architecture. Its construction was ordered between 1736 and 1750 by the Count of Lippe, a key figure in the modernization of the Portuguese army. The building's facade is distinguished by a royal coat of arms, signifying its importance at the time. Throughout its history, the barracks has had several uses; it briefly housed Jesuit prisoners and was part of the setting for the celebrations of the royal wedding between Princess D. Maria and Infante D. Pedro in 1760.
The structure sustained damage during the historic 1755 earthquake but was subsequently repaired in the 19th century. During the 20th century, the building was placed under the stewardship of the Guarda Nacional Republicana (GNR), Portugal's national gendarmerie force. Having been left vacant in recent years, its inclusion in the Revive Program is seen as a crucial step to prevent its degradation and give it a new, sustainable economic life.
The tender provides a detailed list of requirements and evaluation criteria for proposals. Bidders will be assessed based on the quality of their architectural and development plan, the economic viability of their business model, and the value of the proposed rent. The government has made all relevant documentation and technical specifications for the tender available online to ensure a transparent process for all potential national and international investors.
This project is expected to provide a significant boost to tourism in the historic region of Almeida, which is known for its star-shaped fortress. The development of a new high-quality accommodation facility within a heritage building is aligned with the national tourism strategy of promoting regional diversification and developing unique cultural tourism products. The transformation of the Quartel das Esquadras is anticipated to create local jobs both during the construction phase and in its subsequent operation, contributing to the economic vitality of the interior region of Portugal.
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