Belver Castle is one of the most complete examples of medieval military architecture in Portugal. Its origins date back to 1194, and its original structure has remained almost unchanged. The castle has been a National Monument since 1910. It was also the first castle built in Portugal by the Hospitallers.
Gavião lies at the meeting point of Alentejo, Ribatejo and Beira Interior. The destination has many different sides: alongside the castle, there are trails along the Tagus, distinctive landscapes and museums covering subjects from soapmaking to horse-drawn carriages.
Walking trails with a variety of routes
Three circular trails are similar in length but differ in difficulty and starting point. The moderately difficult PR1 – Arribas do Tejo starts at Largo Luís de Camões in Belver. It is 16.2 kilometres long and takes about four hours and 30 minutes. The easy PR3 – No Remanso da Ribeira da Venda starts in the centre of Comenda and covers 16.4 kilometres. Also easy, the 16.6-kilometre PR4 – Rota dos Moinhos da Ribeira de Margem starts and ends in Vale de Gaviões.
A shorter linear route is the easy PR8 – Rota da Sirga: it starts at Belver Bridge, is 5.8 kilometres long and takes about three hours. Its route along the left bank of the Tagus in the municipality of Gavião connects PR1 with PR2. It follows historic fishing paths and passes Sirga walls, once used to pull boats upstream. For PR1 and PR8, note the advisory about a temporary closure and check the current status before setting out.
Castles, buildings and local collections
Buildings beyond the castle also tell stories of different eras and uses. On Praça do Município stands the Coreto de Gavião, built in 1910 and donated by the Patrício family. Bandstands of this kind provided a place for brass bands to perform at concerts, festivals and pilgrimage celebrations. The Igreja Matriz de Gavião is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Pedro Nunes Tinoco built it in the 17th century on behalf of the Priory of Crato. At Casa da Torre, the Art Nouveau tiles and a geodetic survey marker on the tower catch the eye.
The Museu do Sabão tells the story of Belver’s former Royal Soap Factory and the family soapmaking tradition that grew out of it. The museum is housed in a former primary school that was converted for this purpose. The Museu de Arte e da Atrelagem de Gavião has a different focus: it is devoted in particular to horse-drawn carriages of the 19th and 20th centuries, as well as movable cultural and family heritage. The Museu do Vinho e do Pão showcases historic winemaking and breadmaking equipment. The collection includes grain and other tools, as well as a unique spindle made of holm oak wood.
The Tagus Valley, birdlife and waterside scenery
From the Observatório de Avifauna do Outeiro, the view stretches far across the Tagus Valley. Birds of prey use the rock formations for nesting. The area includes a variety of habitats: scrubland, wetlands and rocky areas, as well as farmland and afforested land. The Miradouro Tapada da Senhora offers another viewpoint in a natural setting, with Belver Castle in the background.
At the Parque de Merendas da Ribeira da Venda, green spaces with dense tree cover meet spring water and several bridges. These include the old Roman bridge over the Ribeira da Venda. Alongside the dam, the park has an area with a river beach and a children’s pool. Praia Fluvial do Alamal is also connected to a walking route: a walkable path leads there from Belver Bridge along the Tagus. Check the current accessibility of the path before setting out.
An event to help plan your trip
The Mostra de Artesanato, Gastronomia e Atividades Económicas de Gavião is usually held on the third weekend of July at Jardim do Cruzeiro in Gavião. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the exact dates for the year in advance.
Discover more destinations: Gavião, Vilar Da Mó, Furtado, Crato E Mártires, Monforte, Vaiamonte, Arronches, Portalegre.
Go to the main travel overview: Portalegre.
