Being located in a very desirable area of the country, with easy access from Lisbon, very close to the water mass of the Montargil dam and a greener and much more wooded Alentejo than expected, the Family bought this Monte Alentejano. It was in 1995. At that time, the three existing constructions consisted of a single-storey Alentejo rural house, with thick stone walls, empty tile, two large fireplaces of Alentejo style, a haystack that was also stable, and a small house where the slaughter and the cutting of the pig were made.

It was typical for a typical house, but not very comfortable for what the Family wanted: a place near Lisbon to spend weekends and a few days of vacation, enjoying the nautical activity that the nearby reservoir provides. The reconstruction of this Monte was not easy: the location within the protected area of the dam of Montargil made the authorizations difficult to obtain and the changes that the Family wanted to carry out were especially scrutinized.
But in a little more than two years we have achieved what Monte Velho currently presents: A Main House that, keeping the original layout, has become comfortable. The roof, in vain tile, was replaced by an inclined plate, keeping the inner liner in pine board superimposed, as it is traditional in the region. One of the old fireplaces is working although adapted with a wood burning stove and the other was used for the exhaust fumes in the kitchen. Taking advantage of the necessary and obligatory increase of the right foot of the house, a wood-lined attic was constructed and, with the sacrifice of an existing external schist stone oven, it was possible to be allowed the construction of a bathroom attached to the bedroom main.
The construction of a large porch facing the dam and with spring orientation, as is also traditional in the Alentejo, allows you to enjoy the long summer evenings in a fresh and pleasant environment. The installation, on this
porch, of a rustic pine wood table with seating for 10 people came complete environment.
The Stable and Haystack, as it is known by the Family, has been completely rebuilt. It has two bedrooms and a room heated by a century-old salamander, a "kitchenette" and a bathroom. The furniture that, in large part, composes this haystack, was taken advantage of pieces of old original furniture of houses of next relatives, meanwhile disappeared.
The House of the Pig, as the Family also knows it, could not be increased. The city authorities did not allow it. So we could only install a small bathroom, a double bed and rip two windows. The original fireplace, also the typical Alentejo fireplace, has been maintained but is not working for safety reasons.
The location of Monte Velho in an elevated location allows you to view the bell tower of the Parish Church of Montargil and listen during the day to its periodic buzz during the day.
 The construction of a pool of 10x5 meters provided the possibility of dispensing a trip to the reservoir on hot days, as well as the large built-in garage area that allowed some indoor games to be placed.
Although located in a secluded area, Monte Velho is not in a wilderness. There are neighbors close by, which conveys some sense of security, but privacy around the perimeter of Monte Velho is guaranteed.
Whoever uses this Monte to spend a few days of leisure, you will see what this Alto Alentejo is like. Much less arid than the deep Alentejo and therefore much more welcoming. May he be happy in his use as the Family was during the years that he enjoyed it almost weekly.