In 1999, Aquiles Barros, then professor of Chemistry at the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto for over 26 years, was challenged to create a manufacturing unit that would produce luxury scented soaps for an American brand.
He, with his almost disconcerting optimism, said "yeah, why not?” and the rest is history. Castelbel began production in 2000, with only six workers and an annual turnover of 150 thousand euros.
Brand name reflects the two cornerstones of our company. It blends the name of their hometown (Castêlo da Maia, in Greater Porto), "Castel-", with "bel-", from «beleza»,the Portuguese word beauty, which is present in everything we do.
In 2006, they launched their own brand of scented body care and home products, to which we added the Portus Cale premium brand in 2007. All this while continuing to produce aromatic soaps for some of the most important and respected brands in the world.
More than ever, their products continue to be inspired by the idyllic landscape of the Douro river valley. They capture the aromas, colours and ambience of Portugal, a traditional yet trendy country, where the warm sun and blue ocean nourish the soul and bring comfort to the spirit.
If you have yet to try our scented soaps, home fragrances and body care products, what are you waiting for? Let us take you on a journey of the senses. Discover today why the founder says "we don’t make soaps; we make gifts”!
