Visit Centro de Portugal Region

Thursday, 15 July 2010 00:00

Whatever your personality, there is something for everyone in the Centro de Portugal region. Whether it’s walking along the ocean, dining at a city café or touring one of many nature preserves, the region has a variety of cultural and outdoor activities. Known as the heart of Portugal, The Centro is known for its beaches, Roman ruins, walled towns, castles and fortresses, and scenic mountains.

The mountains, the highest point on the mainland make Beiras-Centro a popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, while the Serra da Estrela Natural Park, Portugal’s largest protected area, is a haven for hikers and birdwatchers. The city of Coimbra is home to Portugal’s oldest university and Aveiro is famous for an immense lagoon and canals that serve as streets. The inland cities of Guarda and Viseu are dominated by traditional stone architecture and the plains of the Beiras region form a kind of transitional zone between north and south of Portugal. Here lies the village of Monsanto, whose high perch enabled it to stand against a Roman invasion in the second century.

Activity highlights

View the baroque library at Coimbra University
Discover the Serra da Lousã„ mountains
Take a drive to the hilltop of Penedos de Gois
Lodge at one of seven fine “Pousada” country inns
Go paragliding in Linhares
Go snow skiing, winter or summer, at Manteigas
Follow three wine routes: the Dao, the Beira Interior, and the Bairrada
Gamble at the Casino at Figueira da Foz
Ride on a free bicycle through the town of Aveiro

The Basics

Along this region’s border with Spain are a myriad of fortresses and castles that once protected the country from its many invaders. Twelve towns rich in history dot the countryside. The cities of Aveiro, Viseu and Guarda each have excellent museums that detail this region’s role in Portugal’s long history.

The Serra da Estrela Natural Park is the largest protected area in Portugal and an excellent place for family hiking, bird watching, and outdoor sports. Lagoa da Torre is a favorite hub along a circular hiking trail around the mountain range. Glacial lakes and spring waters are often used for water sports and in the winter, snowboarding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides and skiing in Serra da Estrela Natural Park are popular activities.

Skiing and snowboarding can be enjoyed even in warm weather at an artificial slope in Manteigas. Hiking is popular in Serra do Caramulo and the Buçaco Forest is home to an isolated monastic retreat, that now features a vast botanical garden. The Serra da Lousã Mountains are a popular spot for hiking or simply enjoying scenic views from the window of a car.

What to See

For the adventurous, try paragliding in Linhares, or for a more relaxed vacation, swim in the natural pools of the Serra da Lousã and the Serra do Açor. If a peaceful walk is what you’re looking for, visit the Serra do Caramulo and if you head to Atlantic coast, enjoy the pristine beaches with their white sand and high waves.

The region has many stories of Portugal before it became a nation, as well as a number of ancient buildings that serve as reminders of this time. Fortresses and castles define Europe’s longest standing border in cities such as Almeida, Castelo Rodrigo and Castelo Mendo. Part of a chain of twelve historical villages, these towns are known for their rich heritage and surviving traditional culture. Coimbra is home to Portugal’s oldest university, known for its fabulous baroque library, and nearby is Conímbriga with its extensive remains of a Roman villa. In Aveiro, visitors will find a wide array of art, both in public spaces and in museums, and in Castelo Branco, the town’s museum is bordered by attractive gardens filled with statues of the kings of Portugal.

Centro’s historic villages

Built from granite and schist and located in the heart of the country, Portugal’s stone villages have witnessed more than 900 years of history. Although the villages are peaceful today, they have not always been so tranquil.

Perched high on the region’s rolling hilltops, the villages played a crucial role in protecting the surrounding lands. Their vantage point made it nearly impossible for would-be invaders to approach undetected. Over the centuries, Moors and Christians, Spaniards and Portuguese, have all tried to take the villages for themselves and each village has its own thrilling tale to tell. One well known story is in the village of Almeida where in the 19^th century, the people held off the French in their formidable fortress for 17 days.

Whether you want to experience Portugal’s breath-taking landscapes, its historic fortresses, or the warmth of its people, the villages offer it all.

The frontier castles

Discover the ancient stories of heroic deeds and glorious battles in the remains of the frontier castles.

From the castles of Alfaiates, Sortelha and Sabugal to the fortress of Almeida, most of these 11th, 12th and 13th century bastions are today classified as national monuments. The collection of about 20 castles in the Centro reminds visitors that Portugal was once constantly working to protect itself from invaders.

Wine country

A wine region with a long tradition, the Dão Wine Route will surprise you with its aromas, beautiful views and the excellent wines produced there.

The Dão wine region is protected by the mountains of the Estrela and Caramulo, which provide stunning views at every turn. Traditional estates such as the Casa de Santar in Nelas, the Casa da Ínsua in Penalva do Castelo and the Quinta da Pelada in Seia welcome visitors. Relax at a manor house at estates such as the Casa Abreu Madeira in Canas de Senhorim, the Solar de Torrozelo in Seia, or the Casa de Fataunços in Vouzela. In these welcoming houses, the tradition of hospitality reigns supreme.

There is more to the Dão than just wine. In Viseu, visit the Museu Grão Vasco which contains an important collection of sacred art and sixteenth-century painting. In nearby Mangualde make sure to admire the Baroque architecture of the Palácio dos Condes de Anadia -- the palace of the Count of Anadia.

As in most of Portugal, food is a major sense of pride and plays a large role in local life. The Centro de Portugal cuisine includes various dishes based on goat, hare and wild boar. Be sure to try the regional sausages and the famous mountain cheese, always accompanied by a glass of wine.

The mountains

Whether summer or winter, the Serra da Estrela offers fun activities for all tastes.

The highest point in mainland Portugal and among its most beautiful regions, the Serra da Estrela makes it easy to get your family out and about. Try skiing or snowmobiling in the winter months. Go hang-gliding or for a ride in an ultra-light plane in the summer.

Take a walk or spend the day bird-watching at the Nature Park if you are feeling more leisurely. A Serra da Estrela Nature Park Tourist Map will show you the circular route around the mountain starting in Lagoa da Torre. For a quick snack along the way, stop by a local shop and try some Serra soft cheese, considered to be one of the very best in Portugal.

Centro de Portugal is relaxing, too.

When you finish your day of hiking, swimming or hang-gliding, there’s no better way to unwind that at one of the region’s beautiful country spas. The Romans recognized the region for its pure waters and built special retreats here for the treatment of bodily and spiritual ailments. The spas of São Pedro do Sul, Curia, Luso and Monfortinho are the most well known and are located in areas that offer plenty of entertainment and activities.

If you are looking to soothe both body and mind, the peace and quiet of the green countryside and mountains is a wonderful place to take in some fresh air between spa treatments. There are many natural lakes and pools for a quick dip and rivers for an exhilarating canoe or rafting trip. The hills of Viseu, Coimbra and the Serra do Buçaco are also ideal for excursions by car if you have a free afternoon.

People have long recognized the healing power of the sea and Centro de Portugal is home to the longest stretches of beaches in the country. Take a swim in the clear blue water of the beach at São Jacinto in the middle of the São Jacinto Nature Reserve, or spend the day on the beach in Costa Nova where traditional seaside wooden houses painted in bright, colorful stripes line the shores. Further south, relax on a beach surrounded by pine trees in Palheirão Beach or try paragliding in Quiaios. If you are looking to enjoy a night out, close by is Figueira da Foz, known for its dynamic nightlife.

Main Cities

Coimbra: On the banks of the River Mondego, Coimbra was once the capital of an emerging Portuguese kingdom. Coimbra is an ancient center of learning, poetry and sculpture and the setting for the love affair of Pedro and Inês. Today, it is home to the oldest university in Europe. Before the first royals made Coimbra their home, the Roman’s colonized the area. Their art is featured in the Monastery of Santa Cruz, where St. Anthony lived and the first King of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, died. Roman art is also found in the Old Cathedral, where students sing Coimbra-style fado on the steps. In Santa Clara-a-Velha, a city founded by the Romans, the beautiful Inês de Castro lived with the children she had with Prince Pedro. It was here she was murdered on the orders of King Afonso IV, giving rise to the most tragic and immortal love story written in Portuguese. The Renaissance and the final transfer of the university to Coimbra in 1537 breathed new artistic freedom into the city. This can be seen in the beautiful Manueline doorway of the University Chapel and the magnificent ancient door in the walls of the Old Cathedral. The Baroque style left its mark on the sumptuous University Library, called one of the most beautiful and richly decorated libraries in Europe. Its gilded shelves house 250,000 books and from the top of its 178 steps, the old university clock tower still chimes out the hours.

Viseu: In the shadow of the cathedral, the ancient town of Viseu is marked by narrow streets lined with historic homes. Above the doorways of these tradition houses sits various family coats of arms carved in granite. Prince Henry the Navigator, who was also the Duke of Viseu, once walked city streets such as Rua Escura, where Gothic gargoyles peer out from 16th Century houses, or the twisting Rua Direita, now a busy commercial street. Portugal’s oldest hero, Viriato, a Lusitanian chieftain, drove the Roman legions from the mountains that surround Viseu. The heroic tale is commemorated with a statue in the Cava de Viriato, or Viriato’s ditch, an archaeological site on the outskirts of town. The cathedral square is the heart of Viseu, lined with a number of beautiful buildings and important works of art. The cathedral itself features a vaulted ceiling, secured by stone ropes and knots. Paintings by the famous artist Vasco Fernandes, also known as Grão Vasco, are located in a museum dedicated to his art and the nearby Church of the Misericórdia is famous for the rocaille style façade and its beautiful cloisters. Ironically, the town is full of art referencing the Portuguese Discoveries, even though it is far from the sea. The Quatro Esquinas, or Four Corners, is a crossroads leading to some of the major sites in the city. You can see the house where King Duarte was born, brother of Prince Henry the Navigator, or head to Porta do Soar, a gateway in the ancient city wall. From here, another street opens out into the city’s “sitting room,” the main square known as the Praça do Rossio. Here locals and tourist stop to rest, visit with friends or relax under the shady lime trees.

Guarda: In Portugal’s highest city, mountain air breathes new life through the mediaeval streets. Lofty, immense and imposing, the mighty towers of the Cathedral serve as a symbol of the faith of the Portuguese people and marks Guarda’s historic center. The exterior has a dazzling Gothic-inspired design. Once inside, visitors are often surprised by the overwhelming height of the naves and the enormous altarpiece carved in stone, a masterpiece created by the mason, João de Ruão. Stop for a coffee next to the Cathedral under the 16th century arcades of the main square. Explore the narrow streets where gargoyles peer over the edges of buildings. Follow in the footsteps of mediaeval ancestors, passing under the mighty arches of ancient gateways. Climb the towers to enjoy a vast and magnificent view that stretches into Spain. Include in your stroll the Jewish quarter near the battlements. You can still see the marks of their religious symbols in the stone walls of their houses, evocative of a Jewish community in the Middle Ages.

Aveiro: Aveiro is perched along an estuary between land and sea. Its streets are actually a maze of canals where the colorful prows of the moliceiros, or seaweed boats, glide along carrying both tourists and locals running errands. No trip to Aveiro is complete without a ride on one of these slender, masterfully designed boats. Sail through the canals that run the length of this unique landscape and see the light reflected in hundreds of white cones of crystallized salt on the shore. The city also boasts a number of unique architectural sites. The railway station and its blue-tiled panels are a popular stop, as is the city museum housed in a former convent. The building is also home to the Infanta Dona Joana, daughter of King Afonso V. Called a “journey through the baroque” the museum includes the Infanta Dona Joana’s tomb, made of tiny pieces of multicolored inlaid marble. Along the Central Canal you’ll find a collection of Art Nouveau style homes. In this neighborhood, make sure to sample the delicious “ovos moles” a specialty egg-based dessert that originated in Aveiro. The bustling fish market, the baroque Senhor das Barrocas chapel and the beautiful doorway of the Church of the Misericórdia are also popular sites near the Central Canal. Boat rides along the lake in the romantic Infante Dom Pedro Park is another great city attraction.