Belmonte
The lovely village of Belmonte is located on a rising slope of Serra da Estrela mountain range, overlooking Cova da Beira and Vale do Zêzere. It is also a markedly agricultural region, notwithstanding its clothing industry of considerable dimension. However, in recent years it has grown as a tourism region, with an emphasis on religious, cultural and nature tourism. In this context the Museu do Azeite (Olive Oil Museum), the Zêzere Ecomuseum and the Jewish Museum, which currently call a large number of visitors to the county, were created. This council, almost as old as the nationality, was the birthplace of Pedro Álvares Cabral, the Commander of the second Fleet to India in 1500, who discovered Brazil. In the Igreja Matriz de Belmonte (mother church), also known as the Church of the Sagrada Família, is the image of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, dating from the 14th century, which is said to have accompanied Pedro Álvares Cabral in his journey. The presence of Jews in Belmonte has been constant since the Middle Ages, although the forced conversion in 1496 made a Crypto-Judaism be born, which contributed to the dispersion of the Jewish community. It is believed that the ancient Jewish quarter was located in the so-called Bairro de Marrocos (Neighborhood of Morocco), where the old synagogue was also supposed to be. There are still some traces of the Jewish presence in the area, as the crosses carved on the jambs of some doors and Hebrew letters in several ashlars of the castle. In 1989 the Jewish community of Belmonte was officially created and in the 90s' the Bet Eliahou synagogue was inaugurated. To match the richness of the council's heritage, find out its gastronomy! Taste the trouts, the goat stew, the hare rice cooked in the iron pot and the traditional papas de carolo (kind of mousse made with cob and cinnamon).
Where to eat in Belmonte
Author, Portuguese, Vegetarian
25.00 €
É um verdadeiro privilégio poder comer com vista sobre o magnífico vale da Cova da Beira. Maior ain…
Contemporary
35.00 €
At the gates of the medieval Belmonte, the Quinta da Bica, a tourist complex that includes a golf a…
Portuguese, Regional
15.00 €
The restaurante Casa do Castelo is the trendy place in Belmonte. Working in a former Distillery, on…
Portuguese, Regional
8.00 €
A modern restaurant with lovely views of the Zêzere river. It serves regional dishes.
What to do in Belmonte
Where to sleep in Belmonte
Historic inn
Inn built on the ruins of the old convent of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, classified in 1986 as Property in the public interest. Located on the hillside of Serr…
Inaugurado em 2015, este é um pequeno espaço, com apenas três quartos, mas que ganha muito com o prazer que tem em divulgar o que de melhor se faz e pode ver n…
Travel Guide
Up to date tourist information about the city's top attractions
Historical Villages: 12 Treasures to Discover in Portugal
Located in the countryside, these villages preserve a vast and very rich historical and patrimonial legacy. There are c…
Blessed Rest: Sleeping in Old Convents
Sleeping in old convents is a unique experience, ideal for those looking to retemper energies. Come and discover these …
Near Belmonte
Castelo Branco
Start discovering the history of Castelo Branco at Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior Museum, installed in the old Episcopal Palace. Castelo Branco is …
Fundão
Situated in the center of Portugal, in the region of Cova da Beira, the county of Fundão was founded in 1747 by order of D. João V, saving him from t…
Vila de Rei
Vila de Rei municipality is a small village in the District of Castelo Branco and is composed of only three parishes. The various traces found by the…
Idanha-a-Nova
Away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and halfway between Lisbon and Madrid, the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova enjoys a privileged locati…