LUGAR SÃO SALVADOR DE MONSANTO
A JOURNEY THROUGH PORTUGUESE HISTORY
Very old urban centers founded before the Portuguese nation, located in the Beira Baixa region and of great historical importance.
They are normally built in highlands, as they constituted defense centers for the populations that settled there, even before the Roman denomination.
They stand out for their military architecture, as most are surrounded by walls and are located next to a castle.
About the 12 Historical Villages of Portugal
"The identity of a territory that, above all, tells the History — and several stories — that are very unique to our Portuguese cultural heritage"
Historical Villages of Portugal is a Tourist Development Association, created in 2007, with the aim of promoting the tourist development of the Historical Villages of Portugal Network.
Start the journey
MONSANTO
Idanha-a-Nova/ Castelo Branco
The Historical Village of Monsanto has a singular charm, to which the two titles awarded in the 19th century contribute. XX – Most Portuguese Village in Portugal, in 1938, and Historical Village in 1995.
10 km
IDANHA-A-VELHA
Beira Baixa/ Idanha-a-Nova
Known as the city of Egitânia, from the ancient Roman city Igaeditanorum. Yours History is full of traces of other times: Visigoths and Arabs, medieval warriors, Knights of the Temple and “lords of the land” who left their marks here.
52 km
SORTELHA
Serra da Estrela/ Sabugal
Archaeological research has uncovered numerous medieval remains. It is one of the most beautiful and ancient Portuguese towns, having maintained its urban and architectural appearance unchanged since the Renaissance until today.
56 km
CASTELO NOVO
Serra da Estrela/ Fundão
In the heart of the Serra da Gardunha, in a natural amphitheater landscape, in shades of green and gray, warmed by the sun and surrounded by an aura of mysticism and transcendence. Here, we feel something fascinating, which involves and harmonizes us.
61 km
BELMONTE
Serra da Estrela/ Belmonte
Land of Pedro Álvares Cabral, in the middle of Cova da Beira and with a wide view over the eastern slope of Serra da Estrela and since 1500 it has been as famous in Brazil as it is in Portugal. Tradition says that the name Belmonte comes from the place where the town stands (Monte Belo or Belo Monte). However, there are those who attribute its origin to “belli monte” – war hill.
91 km
CASTELO MENDO
Serra da Estrela/ Almeida
Ancient village with a marked medieval appearance, composed of two very distinct nuclei: the old town, surrounded by a 17th century wall. XII and the new town, protected by a wall from the reign of D. Dinis, with Gothic features and heavily affected by the 1755 earthquake.
123 km
TRANCOSO
Serra da Estrela/ Trancoso
The history of Trancoso is deeply linked to that of Portugal.
Located close to the border, it witnessed several fights and notable events. Even today the battle of S. Marcos, fought in 1355 and precursor to Aljubarrota, continues to be commemorated on April 25th.
126 km
LINHARES DA BEIRA
Serra da Estrela/ Celorico da Beira
Medieval village from the 17th century. XII. It has a unique architectural and artistic diversity, the result of the legacy of various eras. There are countless legends that link Linhares with the Moorish presence, as well as stories of enchanted Moors who remained in the imagination of their people.
128 km
ALMEIDA
Serra da Estrela/ Guarda
The French invasions marked Almeida forever with the explosion of the Castle, due to negligence, on the night of August 26, 1810, during Massena's siege of the fortress, which led to the military defeat of the Portuguese garrison.
136km
PIÓDÃO
Arganil/ Coimbra
The village nestled in the Serra do Açor, on the steep cliff shaped into a closed mesh structure and sinuous layout, well adapted to the roughness of the surrounding space.
140km
MARIALVA
Serra da Estrela/ Mêda
A few minutes from the city of Mêda, this Historical Village is set in a setting that reveals one of the living relics of Portuguese ancestry and transports the visitor to the deepest roots of the country's history.
146 km
CASTELO RODRIGO
Serra da Estrela/ Figueira Castelo Rodrigo
The Historic Village of Castelo Rodrigo is, as a whole, an authentic monumental space that preserves important medieval references. At various times in national history, its inhabitants stood out for their courage and loyalty to the crown.
Content referenced in Historical Villages of Portugal /Portugal Tourism