Portugal with it’s old age of over 800 years has many little villages, forgotten in times which are absolutely worth seeing. Most of them are on the border to Spain, having had an important role in defending the borders.

Jerusalém de Romeu – in Trás-os-Montes, by the Tua river, Mirandela, is one of those places. The name comes from the Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem which had some possessions here. Visit the Museum of curiosities of the family Meneres from the end of the 19th century, and have a delicious meal at the restaurant Maria Rita.

Aldeia da Pena – Arouca, Serra da Gralheira, another lost preciosity is this little schist village, where they say a “dead killed a living”. It is on the bottom of a valley and it has been called a botanical garden due to the abundant vegetation. The few houses are harmoniously set on terraces just as the lands and keeps its ancestral way of life. If you come this far don’t miss Covas do Monte, another village lost in the S. Macário Sierra.

Marialva –  This one was an old important granitic fortress that used to be a point of defence in front of Spain. A good part of it is still within the big walls. After its big importance in the past, today the village rests quietly on top of the hill. If you come this far, then visit also Castelo Rodrigo and Castelo Mendo.

Piodão – a beautiful and well kept medieval village made mostly fully of Schist, the cheap materials of the region. Today tourism has discovered this once lost place, so it has recovered and you can stay here in one of the houses, and walk up and down the narrow ways between houses.

Monsanto – Idanha-a-Nova, Castelo Branco. Considered in the times of Salazar as the most Portuguese village. It is on a hight towering over the surrounding lowlands, this beautiful granitic village has existed since ancient times. Close by, to the south there is also Castelo Novo, Sortelha and Idanha-a-Velha, all of them of great importance as frontier fortresses and which you should visit.

Dornes – north of Ferreira do Zêzere. The medieval village grew around the Templars watch-tower, to watch for any enemies that might come from the Tejo to Tomar, where there is a major Templars Monastery. Also go to Ferreira do Zêzere, and the Castelo de Bode dam.

Óbidos – Close to Caldas da Rainha. A medieval village that kept the all the traces of the past. It is questionable if the method choose is the best one, as today there’s only souvenir shops and second houses, and a lovely pousada.

Marvão –  In Alentejo, north of Portalegre. There is this very well kept fortified village, which is still quite alive and taken care of.

Monsarraz – Further south of Portalegre. It’s a beautiful walled little white village , just like the precedent on top of a hill. Around wine and cereals are produced.

Jerusalém de Romeu	Aldeia da Pena	Marialva
Piodão	Monsanto	Dornes
Óbidos	Marvão	Monsaraz

No related posts.