Here stands the Residência Faria Mantero a place of welcome. It distinguishes itself with a personalized environment. It emphasizes the freedom and autonomy of its residents. The Residência Faria Mantero is located in Restelo Lisbon.
Built in the 1940s the Residência Faria Mantero was designed by Vasco Regaleira. Enrique Mantero Belard conceptualized this residence. He wanted to honor the cultural legacy. He also sought to commemorate his wife Gertrudes Verdades de Faria.
Enrique Mantero Belard was a successful 20th-century businessman. He managed a large fortune. His ancestors built this fortune in the cocoa plantations of São Tomé and Príncipe. Gertrudes was known for her affinity for the arts. She cared deeply about the less fortunate. Gertrudes had a wish. After her death she wanted her home to become a true home for citizens distinguished by cultural merit.
Enrique Mantero de Belard fulfilled his wife’s dream. He combined fortune method generosity appreciation for the arts culture and altruism. These ingredients were combined in just the right amounts. They created a unique humanitarian work nationally. His wife dreamt of this work. He executed the entire vision.
In 1986 the Residência Faria de Mantero was established. Initially it was donated to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation. Later it was transferred to the Misericórdia de Lisboa. It was intended to house cultured elderly people of merit in need.
Many prominent figures have spent their final years here. These include painter and illustrator Maria Keil. Also fadista Teresa Tarouca author Olga Gonçalves. And poet and essayist António Ramos Rosa as well as painter Barata Moura.
Neli Monteiro the director of the Residência explains its special quality. She says this is a home personalized for those who pass through here. The home has few residents. All are connected to culture writing and the arts. Some residents continue their professional activities. It is a residential structure for the elderly with fully open doors. People are free to go out. They can attend shows give classes and take walks.
The main house accommodates five residents. It features a hall for various events. The last event was an opera. There is also a game room and a reading room. The most popular spot is the veranda overlooking the garden.
Teresa Abecassis a painter spends much of her time there. She arrived at the Residência eight years ago. She suffered two aneurysms in 2004. These aneurysms robbed her of her short-term memory. Despite this she remembers how to paint. She proudly displays her work. She has over 15 watercolors in her room. She plans to exhibit them soon.
In 2022 the Misericórdia de Lisboa added three studio apartments to the residential structure. These apartments join the two that already existed. They feature a living/sleeping area a kitchenette equipped with appliances television telephone internet and air conditioning. This provides residents with greater autonomy and comfort.
Neli Monteiro describes the apartments. They are equipped for greater autonomy. They are designed for limited mobility. Small appliances are available for those who wish to cook. This is useful for residents or when they have visitors. Everything functions around the house like meals and laundry. But people adapt to their needs. They can even have pets.
Helena is in one of these apartments. She recently arrived. She jokes that she moved in on the day of King Charles III of England’s coronation. She insists on showing two unique paintings made just for me. Each has a story. Carlos Pereira the artist only works in black and white. Helena seems to be the only person who owns his colored works. One day he saw her taking apart a leather jacket. She loves working with leather. He asked for a piece and made the drawing which is over 50 years old. He also made a green fly on the same leather. She gave that one to Julio Cortázar in Paris. He had written a story called The Green Fly.
Enrique Mantero Belard also established the Nunes Correa Verdades de Faria Prizes. These prizes were created to honor his will. They recognize individuals in Portugal. These individuals contribute through effort work or studies. They focus on caring for unprotected elderly people. They also advance medicine in its application to the elderly. Additionally they promote progress in treating heart diseases.
Helena interprets this as Enrique Mantero’s deep declaration of love for his wife. She died with heart problems. He honored her by naming the prizes after her. Ironically he also died of heart failure.
More than a place with history the Residência Faria Mantero holds countless stories. These are lived felt and transmitted by those who pass through it. Perhaps this was the intention of Enrique Mantero and Gertrudes Verdades de Faria.