Guest Book

Queen St Elizabeth	Casa Alta Royal Lodge was once an accommodation for the Portuguese Royal family, Saints of the Catholic Church, and visiting nobles and dignitaries. Today, it attracts people from all walks of life seeking the quiet and tranquility of its superb location, lofty views, and the completely renovated house and gardens. Pilgrims of every description visiting the Fatima Shrine come from all over the world. They find that the retreat atmosphere is conducive to contemplation and prayer, as do the members of Fr. Mariani's religious community. True to its traditions, Casa Alta Royal Lodge also hosts Royals, Dignitaries, Heads of State, Church Prelates and ordinary folks, who look forward to a restful getaway.
The lodge was home to Queen Saint Elizabeth of Aragon in the 13th Century and later the 3rd Count of Ourém, D. Nuno Alvares Pereira, Portuguese hero and Saint, lived there with his mother and daughter after he became a widower. Blessed Nuno Alvares Pereira		Queen Catherine of Braganza

In 1648, King John IV, remodeled the Lodge and soon after, his daughter Queen Catherine of Braganza, Regent of Portugal, came to live here in 1661 on retreat before embarking to England to marry King Charles II. Documents in the Torre do Tombo National Archive in Lisbon describe in detail her life within the lodge.

The current Rector's personal office was the former Queen's Sitting Room where it is written the Duchess of Braganza took tea in the afternoons with bread and marmalade and spent evenings playing cards with her ladies in waiting. Catherine of Braganza is recalled for introducing tea into England, as well as folding fans, parquet flooring, and the singing of the Adestes Fidelis at Christmas Mass. The beloved Queen of England, after whom Queens borough was named in New York, returned again to the lodge after her husband's death, from where she governed Portugal as Regent for a second term.

In more recent days, the lodge was a retreat to Cardinal princes of the Church, Vatican officials, and Portuguese diplomats. The current Rector Father Guilbert Mariani, graciously maintains the tradition of making Casa Alta available to such notables as HRH the Duke of Braganza and his family, HIH the Grand Duchess of Russia Maria Vladimirovna, HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie / Hailie Selassie among many other European nobles. Indulge yourself… Casa Alta Royal Lodge is the place where royal treatment is just the usual thing.

HRH the Duke of Braganza

	HIH the Grand Duchess of Russia Maria Vladimirovna, Oureana Foundation Director Carlos Evaristo, HRH the Duke of Braganza. D. Duarte, is the current Count of Ourém. He is a direct descendant of Blessed Nuno.
HIH the Grand Duchess of Russia, Maria Vladimirovna.	D. Filipe Loulé, HIH the Grand Duchess of Russia Maria Vladimirovna and Royal Vice-Chancellor, Carlos Evaristo
HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie - Hailie Selassie of Ethiopia.	HIH Prince Ermias Sahle Selassie / Hailie Selassie, President of the Crown Council.
His Majesty King Kigeli of Rwanda.

Guest Reviews

"One of the best-kept secrets in the Fatima region is a charming lodge run by an affable Catholic priest. It is totally unexpected. Casa Alta Royal Lodge in the Castle of Ourém, is absolutely beautiful. The food is marvellous, and the interiors have an English Country House feeling, at once grand and intimate. The views are spectacular, and there is a gorgeous reflection pool area with the ancient towers of the castle in the background and views to the valley below. Fr. Mariani is an engaging host, and seems to delight in catering to guests needs. We were picked from the airport by chauffeur and car at half the cost of a taxi, and treated like royalty until we left, with private tours of the Shrine of Fatima and several historic sites in the region. The room rates are not more more expensive than that of the local Pousada, and breakfast, cocktails and wine are complimentary at both lunch and dinner. Even our laundry was complimentary! A real find!" - Kathy Imwalle, Los Altos, California