Tourist Attractions in Castelo Branco
Castelo Branco (Altitude: 375m/1230ft), in central Portugal near the Spanish frontier, is the former capital of the old province of Beira Baixa and now chief town of the district which bears its name. It has been celebrated since the 17th C. for the brightly colored embroidered bedspreads known as colchas. Other local products much esteemed in Portugal are goat's milk cheese and olive oil.
History
Lying so near the Spanish frontier, the town was of great military and strategic importance. Of the medieval Templar castle, the "castelo branco" or white castle, probably built in the reign of King Dinis, only scanty remains survive. In spite of its defensive walls Castelo Branco sufferred throughout its history from enemy assaults and raids, most recently in 1807, when Napoleon's troops did much damage.
Townscape
Apart from the lovely Jardim Episcopal Castelo Branco has no particularly notable sights or unusual townscape features. Today's Castelo Branco is centerd around the broad Alameda da Liberdade and the adjacent square, with gardens and the tourist information center. West of this newer part of town are the 16th C. town hall and some 16th-18th C. townhouses, grouped around the Praça Luís de Camoes.
History
Lying so near the Spanish frontier, the town was of great military and strategic importance. Of the medieval Templar castle, the "castelo branco" or white castle, probably built in the reign of King Dinis, only scanty remains survive. In spite of its defensive walls Castelo Branco sufferred throughout its history from enemy assaults and raids, most recently in 1807, when Napoleon's troops did much damage.
Townscape
Apart from the lovely Jardim Episcopal Castelo Branco has no particularly notable sights or unusual townscape features. Today's Castelo Branco is centerd around the broad Alameda da Liberdade and the adjacent square, with gardens and the tourist information center. West of this newer part of town are the 16th C. town hall and some 16th-18th C. townhouses, grouped around the Praça Luís de Camoes.
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Jardim Episcopal
This beautiful Baroque garden, once the Bishop's garden, was created in the early 1700s and is a mix of manicured trees and shrubs, flowers, fountains, and sculptures.
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Monsanto, Portugal
(Near Castelo Branco)
Monsanto is a lovely hill town that draws large numbers of tourists. Old houses, some built into the rock, line the narrow streets that offer changing views out over the countryside below.
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Serra da Gardunha
These hills are home to some unique rock formations, many bearing interesting names.
Antigo Paço Episcopal (Palácio Episcopal)
The old Bishop's Palace, on the northern edge of the Jardim Episcopal, which was originally Gothic and remodeled as Baroque in 1726, houses the Museu de Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior, with prehistoric and Roman material from the Castelo Branco area, pictures by Portuguese artists of the 16th, 18th and 19th C., tapestries, coins, furniture, armor, etc. The museum's chief treasures are the colchas mentioned above.
Hours
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Idanha-a-Velha, Portugal
(Near Castelo Branco)
The little village of Idanha-a-Velha some 50km/31mi northeast of Castelo Branco boasts an illustrious past. Founded by the Romans it was the episcopal see under the Visigoths in the sixth century before sinking back into obscurity following the Moorish invasion in the eighth century. It still has parts of a Roman street, bridge and gateway and remains of a basilica and an episcopal palace are from the Gothic period.
Miradouro de Sao Gens
From the Santa Maria do Castelo a flight of steps leads up to the Miradouro de Sao Gens, a viewpoint from which there is a far ranging prospect of the town and surrounding area.
Nossa Senhora da Piedade
The main attractions of the church of Nossa Senhora da Piedade are the azulejos.
Portas de Ródao
About 30km/19mi southwest of Castelo Branco the Tagus has carved out a magnificent rocky gorge, 45m/150ft wide, the Portas de Ródao. The best view of the gorge is from the bridge over the Tagus at Vila Velha de Ródao to the east.
Santa Maria do Castelo
Above the town are the ruins of the 12th C. Templar castle and the little church of Santa Maria do Castelo.
