In Pinhel’s historic centre, the city walls are almost completely intact; five medieval gates lead to the castle. Here, the walls, gates and towers tell the story of different facets of the area’s cultural heritage.
City History and Museums
Pinhel Castle has two large square towers. A window in the Manueline style stands out on the north tower. The Centro Interpretativo do Castelo e Territórios de Pinhel offers tours of both towers, featuring scholarly content and supplementary exhibition materials. It also presents the history of the castle and the border region. In this way, architectural details are placed in the historical context of the area.
The Municipal Museum spans a broad period, presenting the cultural heritage of the municipality of Pinhel from prehistory to the present day. Exhibits include reproductions of rock paintings and engravings from the Côa Valley near Cidadelhe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as archaeological materials from Prado Galego. The sacred art section includes a 1537 altarpiece made of Ançã stone, which comes from the Igreja da Misericórdia.
The collection at the José Manuel Soares Museum focuses on different themes. It is divided into illustration, Portuguese history, and landscapes and monuments. Those interested in the country’s history and its depictions in art will find a thematic contrast here with the locally focused Municipal Museum.
Objects, Crafts and Architecture
The Casa-Forte was established in Cidadelhe to safely store and display the Pálio de Cidadelhe. The piece dates from 1707 and is made of crimson velvet, typical of Venice. Its embroidery is made with gold, silver and silk. If you would like to visit the Casa-Forte, it is best to check access arrangements in advance.
Smaller museums also focus on local culture. The Espaço Museológico do Manigoto features a permanent exhibition of sacred art and ethnography. At the Núcleo Museológico do Carvalhal da Atalaia, you can see a typical Beira country kitchen and the stages of processing flax, from planting to weaving. Traditional economic activities, crafts and trades practised by local people are also covered. For both of these museums, it is best to enquire about visiting arrangements in advance.
The Casa da Cultura de Pinhel is housed in the former bishop’s palace, which dates back to the late 18th century. The Ermida Senhora das Fontes was also built in the 18th century. A different type of structure is the Ponte Romana do Lamegal: it has a single carriageway and a round arch beneath which the Ribeira de Pega, also known as the Ribeira do Lamegal, flows.
Scenery and Local Traditions
At the Miradouro da Faia, you can look out over the Côa from a transparent platform. The platform is about 210 metres above the river. You walk the final 450 metres to the viewpoint; the path is considered accessible to most visitors. The 220-kilometre Grande Rota do Vale do Côa crosses the municipality of Pinhel. If you are planning to include the route in your itinerary, check the latest information on its course. The Faia Brava Nature Reserve was the first private nature reserve to be classified by the Instituto de Conservação da Natureza e das Florestas.
The local cuisine also features two distinctly different traditions. Cavacas de Pinhel are traditional sweets of monastic origin. Lagaradas are made with baked cod, crushed potatoes and plenty of hot olive oil. Traditionally, they are prepared, served and eaten in olive presses during the olive harvest. Cavacas are therefore a traditional sweet, while Lagaradas are a savoury dish associated with a particular season and craft tradition.
The Feira das Tradições dates back to 1996. Each edition is dedicated to a different theme, with artisans from the municipality sharing old traditions. If you want to attend a particular edition, check the dates before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Pinhel, Almeida, Vale De Amoreira, Marialva, Santo Estêvão, Seia, Vila Nova De Foz Côa, Fornos De Algodres.
For the broader travel overview: Guarda.
