Fontão combines a predominantly flat, riverside landscape with a diverse architectural heritage. This offers two distinct focuses when choosing a destination for your stay: historic buildings and local history, or walking trails and the protected area of the Bertiandos and São Pedro de Arcos Lagoons. The buildings span several centuries, while the landscape is shaped primarily by the river and Monte de São Cristóvão.

Bridge, Manor Houses and Chapels

The Ponte do Arquinho in Fontão is a single-arched bridge from the modern period. It served the old royal road between Ponte de Lima and Viana. Its history therefore encompasses not only its design but also an earlier transport route.

The grounds of Quinta de São Bento are home to a gate dating from 1734. The adjoining chapel dates from the 16th century and features an altarpiece carved from granite. It is privately owned and dedicated to Saint Benedict. The grounds in front of the chapel also contain a stone cross bearing an inscription.

Casa do Retiro is a manor house dating from the early 19th century. Its grounds include a threshing floor and one of the largest stone granaries in the region. Casa Grande dates back at least to the 17th century. A striking three-storey tower stands at its northeastern corner.

The 18th-century Fontão stone cross has a fluted shaft depicting the Virgin Mary. The façade of the parish church faces this cross. A chapel dedicated to Saint Christopher was built on Monte de São Cristóvão in the 17th or 18th century. Near the Capela de São Cristóvão, remains are interpreted as those of a small medieval watchtower on the site of which the present-day chapel was built. The site has been extensively altered.

Walking Trails and Landscape

The Rota dos Cruzeiros is a short walking trail with markers and signage that meet international standards. It passes the stone crosses of São Pedro d'Arcos and Fontão and continues to the Capela de Nossa Senhora dos Remédios. It thus combines a manageable walking route with named religious buildings.

The Ecovia das Lagoas connects the village of Ponte de Lima with the Ribeira da Silvareira stream in Fontão. This provides a different point of reference for choosing a route than the Rota dos Cruzeiros: here, a village and a stream are the named endpoints, while the short walking route and its cultural landmarks are the focus there.

Fontão is characterized primarily by a flat, riverside landscape. Its most prominent elevation is Monte de São Cristóvão. This gives the landscape a distinct character: the riverside setting defines most of the area, while the Monte stands out as a prominent rise.

Fontão is also part of the administrative area of the Bertiandos and São Pedro de Arcos Lagoons protected area. The protected area encompasses two lagoons and the banks of the Estorãos River. It has five signposted walking trails with observation, conservation and information facilities. Those wishing to include nature trails in their travel plans will therefore find a different focus here than at the historic buildings and along the Rota dos Cruzeiros: the emphasis is on the lagoons, the riverbank and the protected area's trail network.

Discover more destinations: Moreira Do Lima, Gaifar, Calvelo, Anais, Poiares, Seara, Ponte Do Lima, Cabaços.

For the broader travel guide: Ponte De Lima.