The Network of Historic Villages of Portugal encompasses 12 settlements, with common characteristics and a similar history: they are fortified, walled and with a Jewish quarter. To walk along the streets of these localities, we are going to make a trip to the past, because everything remains the same as it was hundreds of years ago.
The historical villages of Portugal are asserting themselves more and more as one of the two most interesting destinations in the country, being able to show the most typical and genuine side of the country. And it is done in an exemplary way, showing tourists some ancient traditions and costumes.
Many of the houses in these villages have been recovered and are home to rural tourism accommodation, which allows you to spend the night there and feel even more or the chamamento of history. If you are curious and want to discover it, we leave here 7 of the most beautiful historical villages in Portugal.
1.Monsanto
Known as the “most Portuguese village in Portugal”, in recent years it has attracted various national and international visitors. The particularity of their houses has been built on the rocks, serving as walls or as a roof for many buildings.
O charme da aldeia é indisputível, wild and at the same time beautiful, continuously giving us wonders that the engenho do Homem can breed. em Monsantofind many places where you can spend the night and where you can try the typical gastronomy of the region.
2. Sortelha
This is, perhaps, the best preserved medieval village in Portugal, being also one of the most beautiful. Everything in the village is found within the circular walls of the castle, whose location was crucial in the defense of our country.
Quase all em Sortelha It is the same as the medieval times of the 13th century, height at which it was built or castelo. As streets and houses, made of granite, have been recovered, there are accommodations, cafes and restaurants here where you can discover the wonderful gastronomy of the area.
3. Piódão
In addition to being a Historical Village, it is also a village from the history of the Serra do Açor, or one of the most famous Portuguese villages. To get here, you will have to go through the winding roads of the mountain, but the truth is that in view of the houses of history, dispostas ao longo da encosta (and that gave it to some of the “aldeia presépio”), it is worth a trip.
Try to walk along the streets of piodão and discover its magnificent church and the various esplanades and restaurants of the town. Take advantage and also depart to discover the Mata da Margaraça.
4. Castle Rodrigo
It was the town and seat of the council for 600 years, but when it lost or lost, it lost a lot of its importance. Despite having, maintaining or rich heritage, which attests to its ancient importance, such as the old murals, the ruins of the Cristóvão de Moura palace, or the 15th century palace, the mother church and the medieval cistern.
Strolling through the cobbled streets of Castle Rodrigoand it is possible to find traces of the presence of new Christians, being able to also recognize Manueline elements and houses with motifs of Arab origin.
5. Linhares da Beira
to village of Linhares da Beira It will have its origin in a Lusitano castro, knowing with certainty that Serra da Estrela was a place inhabited by this people. As for Linhares, we see the linho, which at times was one of the most important cultures in the region. In the harmonious urban complex of the povoação, we can find simple granite houses coexisting with lots of ancient nobility.
We recommend that you visit the main church (home of three valuable tables attributed to Grão Vasco), or the medieval forum (where the community decisions are announced to the population) or the fifteenth-century pelourinho.
6. Almeida
Located near the border with Spain, this village is completely surrounded by star-shaped murals, these murals being its main attraction. But there is much more to be discovered here, among its streets and wheels, being able to be dazzled by embellished houses, traditional shops and flowers that cheer up people, as well as museums and churches.
Almeida It is also a good starting point to discover the Beira Alta region, in its roundabouts there are various historical or medieval villages, as well as small villages to discover.
7. Trancoso
Trancoso is part of this list, despite being a city, thank you very much for its enormous Jewish legacy, home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Portugal during the Middle Ages. Likewise, the remains of this presence are still visible, from buildings that have been recovered in the meantime to small details in houses.
Apart from all the built heritage, its streets and wheels deserve to be highlighted, which invite us to take a walk inside and outside the walls, with new things to discover or turn from every corner.