Alvaiázere brings together a vast oak landscape, archaeological traces, historic buildings and routes with different themes. One of the largest and best-preserved stands of Portuguese oak in Europe and the world lies within the municipality. There is also a botanical park with designated entrances, pilgrim routes serving different purposes, and a cuisine in which chícharo plays a prominent role. This gives travellers a choice of landscapes, cultural heritage and regional food culture when planning their trip.
Oak landscapes and routes
The Parque Botânico da Mata do Carrascal (PBMC) covers 14.73 hectares and is open at all times. Access is through Gate 2, Portão do Moinho, and Gate 5, Portão do Estádio. The largest stands of Portuguese oak in the municipality are in the areas of Gamanhos, Ariques, Pussos and Ramalhal. This distinguishes the broad significance of these woodlands from their specific locations within the municipality.
The walking routes also offer different highlights. The PR 4 AVZ – Percurso pedestre dos Megalápias is a circular route and is part of the Natura 2000 network. It passes the funnel-shaped Dolina do Bofinho, a depression in the Alvaiázere/Ansião region. The PR 5 AVZ reaches the source of the Olho do Tordo, where the spring basin can be seen. The PR 8 AVZ – Rota dos Cântaros e das Rodilhas passes through the Sicó-Alvaiázere Site of Community Importance. Those wishing to compare routes will find a range of specific landmarks here: a circular route, a depression, a spring and a protected area.
Archaeology and architectural history
On the Serra de Alvaiázere there is an Iron Age settlement with traces dating from the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. Another striking feature of the Serra is the Carreira dos Cavalos: a wall of limestone blocks that surrounds almost the entire mountain range. The historic buildings in the town mark different periods. The Igreja Matriz de Alvaiázere was probably built in the second half of the 16th century and extensively remodelled over the following centuries. Its interior has three naves and four Baroque gilded wood altars.
The present-day Capela de Santa Helena was built in 1956. The Solar dos Pacheco dates to the 17th century; the Solar dos Pimenteis Teixeira was built in the 18th century following the union of descendants of the old noble families of Pimentel and Teixeira. Only the chapel and the wall of the main façade remain of the former Solar dos Pimenteis Teixeira. The Moinho da Avanteira offers another glimpse of the area’s architectural heritage: a sturdy, cylindrical stone building with two storeys.
The exhibitions at the Museu Municipal de Alvaiázere also offer different perspectives on history. «Conduzidos pelo Tempo» explores the settlement of the area from the Palaeolithic to the Middle Ages. «Tempo, Espaço e Memória» presents traditional occupations that shaped the municipality of Alvaiázere until the mid-20th century.
Pilgrim routes and regional cuisine
The Caminho de Santiago crosses the municipality from south to north, covering a total of 15 kilometres. An overnight stay in Alvaiázere marks the sixth stage of the Caminho Português Central. The 111-kilometre Rota Carmelita also passes through the municipality on its way to the Santuário de Fátima. These figures refer to different distances: 15 kilometres is the stretch through the municipality, while 111 kilometres is the total length of the Rota Carmelita.
Other routes bring together landscape and history. The GR35 – Grande Rota de Alvaiázere leads to a megalithic complex believed to be about 5,000 years old. The PR 6 AVZ – Percurso pedestre do Ramalhal is a circular route that starts and ends in the village of Ramalhal; along the way, it passes megalithic monuments believed to be around 5,000 years old. The PR7 – Rota Dona Maria starts at the picnic park next to the Capela de Santa Helena and follows the right bank of the Ribeira de Foz de Alge to the area of the Ribeira de Foz de Alge river beach.
Cuisine can also play a part in choosing when to travel. Capital do Chícharo was established in 2003, when chícharo became a symbol of local cuisine. The event takes place annually in early October, with stalls serving local food organised by associations from across the municipality. Check the exact dates for your year of travel. Other local culinary specialities include petingas, Sopa dos Pobres, enchidos, serrabulho, queijo and Carne de Rebolão.
Discover more destinations: Pussos, Pelmá.
Return to the main travel overview: Alvaiázere.
