There are magical places near Porto, such as “secret islands” and amusement parks. But there are also others that seem straight out of a Stephen King novel, with all the necessary scary ingredients to inspire the creation of a horror series or movie, such as the Valongo Sanatorium— officially known as the Mont’alto Sanatorium.
Located less than 20 kilometers from Porto, in the parish of São Pedro da Cova, in the municipality of Gondomar, this abandoned and dilapidated building is well known among fans of urban exploration (urbex). Surrounded by the beauty of the surrounding mountains, this place is rife with reports of the “paranormal” and a painful past.
A fortress in the mountains
In the early 20th century, tuberculosis was one of the diseases with the highest mortality rates in Europe. At the time, the medical solution involved building isolated facilities in specific, remote locations at high altitudes, where patients could breathe “fresh air” and recover far from the hustle and bustle of the city. From north to south in Portugal, the construction of sanatoriums became something of a trend.
The Valongo Sanatorium was built precisely for that purpose. Construction began in the 1930s. However , the project dragged on and was only completed in the 1950s. The result was a colossal five-story building with a recessed section, which included a school, a laundry, a church with direct interior access, a chapel, and its own water reservoir. It officially closed its doors in 1975, having operated for less than two decades.
From hospital to ‘Mecca’ of abandonment
Today, what remains of the building is completely dilapidated and almost “swallowed” by the forest. Since its closure in the 1970s, it has served no other purpose, eventually falling into oblivion and abandonment. The facility closed its doors for a very simple reason: medicine evolved, and new treatments for tuberculosis rendered the sanatorium model obsolete.
What happened next was the inevitable result of the passage of time, including acts of vandalism, broken windows, graffiti everywhere, and a dark, mysterious aura that contrasts with the green of the mountains. It is said that even today one can hear footsteps, noises, and the voices of the patients who perished at the Valongo Sanatorium, where, despite the building’s imposing features, conditions became quite precarious.
The number of patients likely far exceeded the available capacity, and it is believed that both patients and doctors endured very difficult times. Reports of ghosts may be nothing more than a popular myth, but, in any case, the building carries an undeniable weight capable of sending chills down your spine as dusk falls.
The greenery and the endless view
Today, the Valongo Sanatorium continues to attract tourists, adventurers, and photographers. The bravest venture inside the building and climb its long staircase until they reach a terrace with a breathtaking panoramic view of the mountains, which stretch uninterrupted all the way to the sea.
But be careful: remember that this is a building in a state of severe disrepair, with holes and debris, so if you decide to visit it , your safety is not guaranteed. Even with appropriate clothing and footwear, you must exercise great caution on any potential “exploration mission.”
In fact, to avoid unnecessary risks, you can admire the building from the outside and , instead of venturing inside, continue your journey to explore the charms of the mountains!
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