Despite its integration into the Cistercian Order, the life of this monastery was turbulent and short. During his visit in 1553, the Abbot of Clairvaux found it in a state of complete neglect and poverty, which is why it was secularized in 1560, becoming a parish church. What we see today in Ermelo is a beautiful Romanesque church adapted to the life of a small parish, first in the 16th century and again in the 18th century. Of the nave that stood to the south, only the beautiful triumphal arch remains, now open to the sky outside. The monastery's dependencies …

Considered one of the largest mining operations in the Roman world, the Tresminas mine began during the reign of Augustus (27 BC – 14 AD) and continued until the time of Septimius Severus. It was likely carried out using an open-pit system, creating the large craters that still bear witness to the human effort in the landscape today. A complex system of galleries was opened across the vein for the transport, disposal, and treatment of the minerals, which remains open to visitors. The Archaeological Park has viewpoints overlooking the mining pits, interpretive panels, signposted walking trails, and picnic areas. Visits …

Located three kilometers from the city center, this palace is situated within a large estate. Built in the mid-18th century, it is attributed by some authors to the architect Nicolau Nasoni, mainly due to the exuberant Baroque style of its main facade. It is one of the few noble palaces that has remained in the possession of the original family to this day. Part of the house is open to the public through guided tours, presenting itself as an authentic house museum. During the visit, one can explore the main hall, the library (with a copy of the first edition …

At the João Mendonça Street, by the Central canal, you find three buildings with interpreting Arte Nova façades. Through this canal where, in ancient times, all the commerce of the city used to concentrate, now flow the coloured moliceiros boats that dazzle the tourists. At the angle formed by the Central and Pirâmides canals, is the Rossio: ample, garden-like, with palm-trees lined up and arte Nova details. At the intersection with the São Roque Canal and going through the Cais das Falcoeiras follow to the Cais dos Mercantéis and walk around the picturesque fishermen square, in preference in the beginning …

Set of two monuments that are believed to have been graves for adults, of which there is only the second. The first monument was an individual grave, CIST-type, built with slabs of local granite, with an approximate height of 0.50 meters and 1.5 meters in length. She was found in March 1931 when it carried out farm work on-site, owned three ceramic vases, fragmented at the time of the finding. Currently, no longer exists. The second the Gorgulão CIST was found in 1994, when the construction of the current accommodation "Cista", containing only a ceramic vase. Lateral slabs has approximately …

The chapel in the village of Carvalhelhos, dedicated to Santa Barbara, underwent profound changes caused by successive restoration and consolidation works. The main façade has a portal in round arch flanked by two Windows, in the form of vertical slots. The stretching of the gable has a Bell Tower, semi-circular-shaped granite, topped by a cross. The interior, stripped of the gilded altars, which once existed, press by minimalism. The bedside wall, polished granite, has only a crucifix in wood; the side walls are carved Corbels with devocionário popular religious imaginary arranged in singular form, the men's devotions are placed on …

Dornelas parish church, dedicated to St Peter, is a temple in granite, oriented East\/West. The main façade, with a rectangular portal is surmounted by a Latin cross about acroterion. Along this facade lies a large granite which formerly dorna was used as a measure of wax that was paid to the Archbishop of Braga. Inside are four gilded altars, the main altar, two side altars and two other sides, with the altar of souls, which has a beautiful embossed altarpiece. This is the Church that Sunday masses are celebrated and the offices of the religious feast of s. Sebastião, also …

The church remains from the monastic complex, which retains interesting architectural features. On the front, the portal with four archivolts is the primitive one and in the upper area, redone in the 17th century, São Bernardo, the founder of Cistercian, the Lady of the Assunção and São Bento, surmounted by the coat of arms of the Order, keep us company in this place isolated but superb. The head of the temple is divided into quadrangular chapels, revealing the typically Cistercian architecture. The interior, with 3 naves, without a transept, was greatly transformed in the modern era. In the monastic dependencies …

Climbing Portugal's highest point is a unique and unforgettable challenge, not within everyone's reach. It's a demanding route, even for those experienced in hiking. The hike begins on the west side of the mountain at approximately 1,230 meters above sea level, at the Pico Mountain House. After providing your information to the Madalena Municipal Fire Department, you can begin the 1,100-meter ascent, along a 4,700-meter route, with an incline that reaches 40° in some spots. From the 2,351-meter summit of Piquinho, it's possible, if the sky is clear, to observe all the islands of the central group and an immense …

If you're looking for a quiet place with all the comfort to spend your holiday or weekend we have the perfect place to you: The Casa do Oleiro - Potter's House. The "Casa do Oleiro" - Potter's House - is located on the northern side of Santa Maria. In a place called the Norte, a part of the Santa Barbara village, you can admire the landscape of where the mountains touch the sea. Some days, you can see the neighboring island of Saint Michael on the horizon. The pottery table and small handcrafted objects blend with the accommodations needed for …