Fornos: Three Granite Arches and Historic Churches

Fornos combines a distinctive circular trail, a granite arch bridge in a wooded setting and churches with a complex architectural history. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home can therefore choose the area according to their own travel preferences: the focus may be on enjoying the landscape, exploring historical details or attending a traditional event.

On foot, by mountain bike or along historic paths

The circular route “Trilho das Três Pontes” begins and ends at Largo da Igreja Matriz de Fornos. You can use it for walking, running or mountain biking. Important for planning: the route is not signposted locally. For orientation, you need a GPS track, regardless of whether you cover the route on foot, running or by bike.

The Ponte dos Três Arcos crosses the Rio Boco in a wooded area and has three supporting granite arches. The access paths are unpaved and in places have deep ruts caused by runoff from rainwater. If you are planning your day around this excursion, the condition of the access route is one of the practical details you should take into account in advance.

The bridge is also part of an itinerary connecting Mosteirô and Fornos with Castelo da Feira, traditionally called “Caminho da Rainha”. This name provides the area with additional historical context without equating the circular route with the itinerary.

Churches with Different Traces of Their History

The Igreja de São Salvador de Fornos dates back to the founding of a medieval parish; the present building dates from the 16th century. In the 20th century, the church was completely remodelled. This included, among other things, cladding with azulejos and a new Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament. At the same time, older elements have been preserved: the church’s structure, the Capialço windows, the bell tower with cannon gargoyles, a niche for liturgical objects and several relief panels from earlier altar structures.

The Igreja Santo António da Lage also offers specific architectural points of interest for a cultural tour. The chapel, built in the 18th century, was constructed by a local family and bears a coat-of-arms stone above the main portal. Its rectangular floor plan comprises a nave and a sacristy. For travellers interested in sacred architecture and regional history, this creates a different rhythm to the day from the unpaved route to the bridge.

Tradition at Largo Padre José Alves de Pinho

The Feira à Moda Antiga takes place at Largo Padre José Alves de Pinho next to the Igreja Matriz de Fornos. This event recreates a market from the beginning of the 20th century. The Feira à Moda Antiga is organised by the Junta de Freguesia de Fornos with the support of local residents. The historic market complements the churches and the landscape and cultural experiences described above with a community-oriented side of Fornos.

When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider which focus should shape your holiday. If you would like to include the “Trilho das Três Pontes”, you should incorporate GPS navigation and the unpaved access paths into your preparations. Those who prefer cultural discoveries will find different architectural forms, periods and preserved details in the two churches. The Feira à Moda Antiga adds another distinctive element, provided it fits your travel plans.

Discover More Places

As a starting point for further research, you can also explore Guisande, Caldas de São Jorge, Sanguedo, Argoncilhe, Vale, Santa Maria De Feira, Milheirós de Poiares and Lourosa.

For the higher-level travel overview: Santa Maria Da Feira.