Visitors considering Fundão as a destination will find three distinct highlights: the protected landscape of Serra da Gardunha, cherry culture and historic sites. The themes range from a large natural area and local produce to archaeological and industrial traces. This makes it easy to plan your trip around what interests you most.

Landscape and Nature

The Serra da Gardunha Regional Protected Landscape covers 10,507.49 hectares and includes the southern part of the municipality of Fundão. The Natura 2000 site PTCON0028 lies within the protected landscape and contains remnants of alluvial forests. This allows us to distinguish between two scales: the extent of the protected area and a specific habitat within it.

Near Janeiro de Cima, the Zêzere serves as a recreational area. Close to the village, the Meandros do Zêzere Geomonument is part of the Naturtejo Geopark. These highlights have different focuses: river-based recreation on the one hand, and a geomonument within the geopark on the other.

Cherry Culture and Local Traditions

The Casa da Cereja in Alcongosta is a visitor center dedicated to cherries and their importance to Fundão. It presents the cherry varieties found here and the geographical development of the orchards on the slopes of Serra da Gardunha. Its focus therefore encompasses both the varieties and the development of the growing areas.

Another local tradition is associated with Lérias in Póvoa de Atalaia. According to the municipality, this is a centuries-old lace-making tradition unique to this village. Cherries and Lérias thus offer two different insights into local culture.

Culture and Historic Sites

The José Monteiro Archaeological Museum is housed in the former Solar Taborda Falcão de Elvas manor house. A Moagem – Cidade do Engenho e das Artes, by contrast, occupies the restored complex of the former Moagem do Fundão company. A Moagem’s exhibition hall is housed in a former warehouse and hosts contemporary art exhibitions. The Rye Mill Interpretation Center reconstructs the machinery cycle used to process grain and presents its architectural, economic and social development. The settings thus range from a former manor house to a former industrial facility, and the historical focuses differ accordingly.

In Castelo Novo, the Roman baths at Quinta do Ervedal comprise two Roman-era bath buildings; the site has not yet been fully excavated. Castelo Novo Castle preserves a square tower. Archaeological excavations have unearthed hundreds of traces of medieval settlement. Together, the bath buildings and medieval remains offer a glimpse into different historical periods.

Plan your trip around the theme that interests you most.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Fundão, Aldeia Nova Do Cabo, Pêro Viseu, Valverde, Alpedrinha, Alcongosta, Salgueiro, Silvares, Barroca, Aldeia de Joanes, Donas.

For the broader travel overview: Castelo Branco.