Viseu

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Beirã town, belonging to the region of Dão-Lafões, Viseu tourism enchants for its hospitality and for its corners full of history. It lies on a plateau surrounded by a mountainous system constituted by the Serra da Estrela, Caramulo, Montemuro, Lapa, Leomil, plow and Lousa, and therefore the dominant colors green dos pinhais and grey granite and schist. Here you can find numerous archaeological remains which bear witness to the romanization and the medieval character of this village. It is believed, including that the famous Lusitanian leader viriathus, who defended the region against the invaders and was therefore considered one of the earliest national heroes, was a native of Viseu. Let not, then, to visit the Cava de Viriato, a vast fortified camp that functioned as a lookout and defense point for the Romans. In addition to the vast archaeological heritage, Viseu is also rich for his architectural works, for its gastronomy and handicrafts. The architectural level, highlighted by the Cathedral, to the Grão Vasco Museum, for Solar dos Condes de Prime, and to port of the Knights. Gastronomically, could point out dozens of dishes, always watered by wines of Dão-Lafões. Some of the most emblematic are the cozido à portuguesa, the spare ribs with turnip greens and olive oil bread, chouriça, the chanfana of lamb, the Church elders with pork and, for dessert, the caçoilinhas do Vouga and pastéis de Vouzela. Viseu is a welcoming land, where agriculture continues to occupy a prominent place, although in recent decades, its industry suffered a great development. It also has good hotels and catering, ready to receive visitors.

What to do in Viseu

Cava de Viriato

Viseu

This garden, located near the square of the St. Mathews Fair, has an octogonal shape and is surrounded by walls and by a protection ditch. Once it was a Roman military camp. Since the 16th century, it has bem wrongly associated with the lusitane warrior Viriato. In the 20th century, a tribute monument to that warrior has been built there …

Catedral de Santa Maria de Viseu / Sé de Viseu

Viseu

This gothic building was subject to several modifications as the time went by and thus has romanic, gothic, manuelin, manneristm renaissance, baoque and modern features. In the main façade one can view the images of Saint Mark, Saint Lucas, Saint John, Saint Mathew, Saint Teotónio and Our Lady of Assunção. A special note to the chorus chairs, the golden carvings …

Solar do Vinho do Dão

Viseu

This typical manor houses the Comissão Vitivinícola Regional do Dão (an organization for the Dão region wines). The building was recovered according to the exterior architecture and the decoration is modern and bold. There is a chapel by the building whre there are no masses regularly but which functions as a guest room of this space.

Centro Histórico de Viseu

Viseu

In the centre of Viseu one can admire the beauty of its narrow streets, of its buildings of great historic and architectural value and find some shops of traditional commerce.

Solar dos Condes de Prime

Viseu

This building, dating back to the 18th century and also known as Casa do Cimo da Vila (House of the Top of the Village), has a chapel with great masonry on the windows, doors and cornices. In its interior, the baroque and rococo tiles of the palace area and, in the main chapel, the tiles and carvings of the epoch …

Museu de Almeida Moreira

Viseu

This house, where Almeida Moreira lived, opeened its doors to the public as Ameida Moreira Museum in 1965. There is a collection of naturalist paintings, religious paintings of the 16th and 17th centuries, furniture, ceramics with Oriental porcelains, earthenware of the 17th and 18th centuries and national objects of the 19th century. There are also glass creations, jewellery, bed coverts …

Museu do Quartzo

Viseu

Situado no Monte de Santa Luzia, outrora palco de exploração do mineral, o Museu do Quartzo abriu portas em 2012. Pretende, desde então, ser um espaço interativo de exploração do património geológico e natural da região, sendo o único museu do mundo a dedicar-se exclusivamente a um mineral. Com uma forte vertente pedagógica, permite aos visitantes das várias faixas etárias …

Museu de Grão Vasco

Viseu

This museum, founded in 1916, initially functioned in the Cathedral and only in 1938 did it move to the Paço dos Três Escalões. Among the many exhibited works, a special note to the paintings of Grão Vasco, that came from the Cathedral, from the Bishop's Palace of Fontelo and from churches and convents of the Beira region and the paintings …

Teatro Viriato

Viseu

This is the theatre where the major cultural events in town take place, from music and theatre to dance and poetry. There are also workshops, ateliers and temporary exhibitions. There is a bar with videos and discussions and the "Canto …

Lapa do Repilau

Viseu

This megalithic Monument is classified as a Building of Public Interest. It is composed by an enlarged polygonal chamber and by a long corridor. It doesn’t have coverage and is displays buttresses in each side.

Casa da Rua Dom Duarte / Paço da Torre

Viseu

According to tradition, this was the birthplace of the king Dom Duarte. In the granite building, a manuelin window topped by a coat of arms stands out.

Muralha e Portas Antigas da Cidade de Viseu

Viseu

Parts of the old 1400s wall, with a special note to some parts near the Soar de Cima Door and the Cavaleiros Door, the only that still exist from a set of seven original doors. These doors have profile arches, …

Igreja da Misericórdia de Viseu

Viseu

This rococo church, dating from the 18TH century, stands out, inside, the neoclassical, with sobriety and polychrome carving without gold. On the throne the chancel altar you can admire a statue of our Lady of mercy, 18TH century work.

Lagoa e Cascata do Troço

Viseu

This small lagoon, located in the Troço river, has a natural waterfall and offers a wild and serene landscape. On the river banks one can view the ruins of ancient oil presses and mills.

Parque Aquilino Ribeiro

Viseu

This ancient park, occupied since 1635 by the Capucho friars, has a peaceful and romantic atmosphere and several botanical rarities. In this park one can find the baroque church of the Ordem Terceira de São Francisco and the 1600s chapel …

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Where to eat in Viseu

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Where to sleep in Viseu

Hotel Palácio dos Melos
Hotel Palácio dos Melos

4 star

Luxurious hotel, situated in the Centre of the city of Viseu, inserted in one of the seven gates of the wall Steven-the gate of the Sound off. Offers exquisite…

Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel
Montebelo Viseu Congress Hotel

5 star

Luxurious and refined Hotel located in the Centre of Viseu, offering 172 rooms modernly equipped and spacious, with King-size beds. In addition to the penthous…

Pousada de Viseu & Charming Spa
Pousada de Viseu & Charming Spa

The Pousada de Viseu is the result of the recovery of a majestic building, formerly former São Teotónio Hospital, opened in 1842. The redevelopment project, si…

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