Abandoned and ruined buildings exert a certain fascination in many people’s imaginations. Less than 30 minutes’ drive from Porto, there is a case that fits perfectly into this context – the Valongo Sanatorium (as the Mont’alto Sanatorium came to be known).
Located in the parish of São Pedro da Cova, in the municipality of Gondomar, it is a place full of mystery, with a setting reminiscent of a horror movie or even a thriller, attracting the attention of curious (and brave) outsiders. It’s an intriguing place, associated with tales of the ‘paranormal’ and a painful past.
Despite this reality, worthy of a fiction best-seller, the sanatorium is surrounded by the beauty of the green mountains. But to tell its story, you have to go back in time to a time when alleged ghost stories were just a ‘mirage’. Shall we find out more about this place?
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The true history of the Valongo Sanatorium
At the beginning of the 20th century, tuberculosis was one of the diseases with the highest mortality rate in Europe. This scenario led to the creation of several specific and isolated sites for the treatment of tuberculosis patients. From the north to the south of the country, sanatoriums were built in succession.
However, in the case of the Sanatório de Valongo (Mont’Alto Sanatorium), its construction lasted too long. In other words, the building began to come to life in the 30s, but was only completed in the 50s. From its inauguration to its closure in 1975, a relatively short time passed, especially given the size of the building.
The immensity of the Valongo Sanatorium
The building stood out for its grandeur, of which today we have only a few testimonies. Parts of a whole that still resist the passage of time and decay. Even so, it’s impossible not to be impressed by the space occupied by the Valongo Sanatorium (Sanatório de Mont’Alto).
However, in its original form, the building was even more impressive. As a whole, the building occupied five floors and a basement, as well as dozens of inpatient beds. In addition, the surrounding area included no less than the following complexes: a school, a laundry, a church with direct interior access, a chapel and a water reservoir.
Why was the sanatorium built on this site?
The Valongo Sanatorium (Sanatório de Mont’alto) was built in the middle of Monte de Santa Justa. This was because the geographical isolation and the altitude of over 300 meters were considered satisfactory factors for the sanatorium.
We mustn’t forget that tuberculosis was an extremely contagious disease. As such, the treatment of its patients, as already mentioned, required isolated locations. In addition, the surrounding countryside was considered positive for the recovery of tuberculosis patients.
Greenery and an endless view of the sea
Today, the building of the Sanatório de Valongo (Mont’Alto Sanatorium) is abandoned; it’s a derelict place shrouded in mystery. Its façades are covered in graffiti that contrasts with the gray tones of the past. But there, the green of the landscape is also noteworthy.
In fact, not far from the Sanatorium, you can find the Mont’Alto Swing, one of the many elements that make up a circuit through the Valongo Mountains (and beyond). From there, the view has the capacity to make you dream.