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).

Where to eat in Belmonte

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What to do in Belmonte

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 …

Estátua de Pedro Álvares Cabral

Belmonte

Bronze sculpture, with granite plinth, erected in 1961 in honor of the discoverer Pedro Alvares Cabral.

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 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.

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 …

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 …

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 Matriz de Caria / Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição

Belmonte

This is a mannerist and baroque church dated from the 16th century. It is composed by a longitudinal plan with three naves in four ranks and a narrower main chapel. On the inside it is worth to mention two graves …

Casa dos Condes / Solar dos Cabrais

Belmonte

Mannerist building with three floors, the presenting features of mannerist architecture. It was probably built in the 18th century or 19th century, having already belonged to Cabral family and Earls of Belmonte.

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 …

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.

Convento de Nossa Senhora da Boa Esperança

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 …

Antiga Casa da Câmara de Belmonte

Belmonte

Late-medieval building consisting of two wings and a tower. It was built in the late 15TH century, suffering after renovation works in 1854 and in 1896. Presents a simple rectangular plan, with two floors, with the clock tower.

Antiga Judiaria

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 …

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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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Travel Guide

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

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