Belmonte

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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).

What to do in Belmonte

Praia Fluvial de Belmonte

Belmonte

River Beach located on the Bank of the River Zêzere, with a beach and a nice grassy area. There is also a picnic Park and a football field.

Castelo de Belmonte

Belmonte

Castle located on a rise on rising slope of the Serra da Estrela mountains, built in the 13th century, originated in the Roman building referred to as "Centum Cellas. Fortified defenses were commanded to build by Dom Sancho I, and Dom Dinis built the Castle later rebuilt by Dom Manuel I. The primitive Castle the Tower of homage, the Manueline …

Museu Judaico

Belmonte

This museum aims to be an exhibition of Jewish culture, at the same time that reports on Judaism. Explore the history of Portuguese Jews, their adversity throughout the ages, their contribution in art and business, as well as its rituals and customs. You can also, in addition to view the various parts, prove the unleavened bread made without yeast and …

Torre de Centum Cellas

Belmonte

Roman building of three floors, which was reused during the middle ages as a defensive Tower. It is unknown if your primitive function, being associated with various legends and theories. Features spans of lintel straight without frame, being the composition of elevations. Was formerly also known as Tower of St. Cornelius.

Igreja Matriz de Belmonte / Igreja da Sagrada Família

Belmonte

Church built in the 40 years of the 20th century, where stands the image of Nossa Senhora da Esperança, dating from the 14th century, who say they have accompanied Pedro Álvares Cabral in the journey of discovery of Brazil.

Museu dos Descobrimentos

Belmonte

Located in the Manor of the Cabrais, the Museum of Discovery\/Interpretive Center "to the discovery of the new world (DNM)" is an initiative of the municipality of Belmonte, in order to make known the history of Portuguese Discoveries, particularly of Brazil. Here you can observe a set of content in various areas of knowledge such as history interactive applications and …

Antiga Judiaria de Belmonte

Belmonte

The presence of Jews in Belmonte has been constant since the middle ages, although the forced conversion in 1496 have been born a crypto-Judaism which contributed to the dispersion of the Jewish community. It is believed that the ancient Jewish …

Miradouro de Belmonte

Belmonte

Space with stone benches, from where you can get beautiful panoramic views of the entire region.

Solar dos Condes de Caria

Belmonte

19th century building of simple rectangular plant, with two floors and a main facade with central portal. Features a chapel located near the back façade, connected to the House from the inside. Emphasis on the main façade decoration, with Windows …

Ecomuseu do Zêzere

Belmonte

Museum also known as the "Granary of the Cabrais", for meeting in an 18th-century building where the family rents were stored Cabral. Here you can study the course of the River Zêzere, from its source to its mouth.

Museu do Azeite

Belmonte

Old olive oil mill, built in the late 19th and early 20th century. After ending, was recovered in order to teach visitors the process of olive oil production, as well as their importance in the local economy. Develops in three …

Igreja de Santiago / Panteão dos Cabrais

Belmonte

This temple has a foundation previous to Dom Dinis Kingdom where the suspended vault stands out, as well as the flaming Gothic arch, the pulpit and some frescoes. On the Cabrais chapel, a familiar pantheon, there are several examples from …

Convento de Nossa Senhora da Boa Esperança / Pousada Convento de Belmonte

Belmonte

Convent founded in 1563, intended for the friars of the third order Regular of St. Francis or the Friars Minor of St. Francis of Covilhã. In 1834 the convent was disbanded and later, in 2001, the space was transformed into …

Sinagoga Bet Eliahu

Belmonte

Fica na zona da antiga Judiaria, na Rua Fonte da Rosa, e é muito procurada por judeus, que ali realizam as suas orações, e curiosos de outras religiões, que procuram saber mais sobre a comunidade judaica. Inaugurada em 1996, a …

Piscinas Municipais de Belmonte

Belmonte

Set of two outdoor pools with parasols and sun loungers.

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Travel Guide

Up to date tourist information about the city's top attractions

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Where to eat in Belmonte

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Where to sleep in Belmonte

Pousada Convento de Belmonte
Pousada Convento de 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…

Kazas do SeRado
Kazas do SeRado

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…

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Near Belmonte

Oleiros

Oleiros

Oleiros integrates the Centro region and covers the area of serras de Alvelos, Muradal and Lontreira, in addition to meet the Zêzere river and other …

Vila de Rei

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…

Vila Velha de Ródão

Vila Velha de Ródão

Vila Velha de Ródão lies in the South of the District of Castelo Branco, between the Tagus River and the Ocresa River, its tributary, the Serra do Pe…

Proença-a-Nova

Proença-a-Nova

The municipality of Proença-a-Nova belongs to the District of Portalegre and marks the transition between the Beiras and Alentejo. Still part of the …