John Morgan, who supplied us with so much information and photographic records for our article “The History of Vale da Telha” has allowed us to reproduce another of his prized possessions, an original sales brochure from the launch of the Vale da Telha project, published probably around 1980.

It is an eight-sided “concertina’ pamphlet and gives us an intriguing look at the original concept and sales pitch by the initial developers, Somundi, whose grand scheme ended in the company’s bankruptcy.

Many of their grandiose ideas simply failed to materialise—like the golf course and the cinema.

We have left the original text unedited so you can see that the brochure did lack a degree of professionalism in this English version aimed at the UK and Irish markets.

Page One:

Photograph of what we assume is Monte Clerigo beach. Under which are the words:

Vale da Telha, Aljezur/Algarve.
Touristic Urbanization.

Page Two:

A photograph of the hotel and the hotel bar (?)

Text:

Support Services and Touristic Exploitation

Water services and general electricity services (special!) exclusive for the site, streets, schools, two shopping centres, cinema, hotel, meeting room, horse racing centre, restaurants, hunting club, golf field and even a place of agriculture and cattle-breeding where there are plenty of milk, food and fresh vegetables.

Maintenance and security services, touristic exploitation for temporary occupation of the customer’s residences, clean-up service, gardening maintenance services, all according to the contacts between Somundi and the investors.

Page Three:

Interior photograph of a restaurant ( now Restaurant Vale da Telha), another of the outside of the Restaurant Vale da Telha, and a third of the stables, with horses poking their heads out of every door.

Text:

Large green spaces surrounded by immense pinewoods, close to the clear and fresh Atlantic waters, transform this enterprise into a paradise extremely pleasant as if it where (sic) chosen for the residence of a royal princess.

An (sic) horse-race centre. Horses and installations following the best models and a school of hippism where you or your children can learn to ride horses with qualified teachers. Surrounded by a large and pleasant pinewood the ideal place to practise the sport which joins man to the noblest animal of the nature.

Page Four:

Photograph of the wall—with seagull inset and flagpoles—which greets arrivals at the entrance to VdT

Text:

Come and see Vale da Telha.
Vale da Telha
Aljezur/Algarve
Touristic Urbanisation

 

Page Five:

Map of Portuguese coast south off Lisbon, showing the locality of Vale da Telha, plus a photograph of fishermen in a small dinghy

Text:

Invest in Vale da Telha.
Your money will raise.
In Algarve, in the neighbourhood of Aljezur, only 5km of distance.

Aljezur whose history, tradition and artistry are extremely interesting for tourists.

Founded in the 10th century by the Arabs, has a desire eight side castle with two towers and an ancient cistern that although severely damaged by the 1755 earthquake may yet be admired.

The archaeological ruins of collective graves in artificial caves with round chambers make us feel like in the age of copper.

1966 acres with about 90km of roads, water, electricity, parcels approved for construction this all transform Vale da Telha into an undertaking at the same level of the international best known.

Take a look at our prices and purchase conditions.
Lisbon: Phone 522639

Paris: Phone 5633484

Page Six :

Picture of a villa, drawing of the commercial centre and the plan of a house.

Text:

Several different kinds of residences.
The key in your hand.
Built with materials meeting all up to date requirements. All with high-quality finishings.
Kitchens furnished with modern equipment, cozy bathrooms, rooms with ceramic tile floors and carpeted bedrooms.

Page Seven:

Photographs of a hunter shooting, the tennis courts and the beach.

Text: These are some of the characteristics in which Vale da Telha in an exciting vigorous rithm (sic). In Algarve a world full of interest for national and international tourism.

Meet Us At Vale da Telha

Please come to Vale da Telha to appreciate the beauty and splendour of this place. Let us show you how life is better in Vale da Telha also the quality and complete support offered to residents and tourists.

Page Eight:

Picture of the round building at the hotel, on the Pines Roundabout, which was the Somundi sales office, along with details of Somundi, giving its addresses with the HQ in Lisbon, and branches in Vale da Telha, Coimbra, Leiria, Lagos, Palhaça, Aljezur and França.