Chacim: Village Culture and Landscapes at the Foot of the Serra de Bornes

Chacim lies at the foot of the Serra de Bornes and brings together historic buildings, local traditions and a rural setting. The Riacho de Chacim shapes the village landscape; olive groves, vineyards and pastures grazed by animals are part of the surrounding scenery. Its designation as an Aldeia de Portugal is also part of the village’s identity. When planning your holiday, you can choose between village culture and landscapes as different areas of focus.

Historic Buildings and the Real Filatório

The Real Filatório de Chacim was established in 1788 by a decree of Queen Maria I. The Centro Interpretativo do Real Filatório de Chacim is located beside the ruins. There, you can learn more about the former factory and finds recovered during archaeological investigations. The village is also home to the small Ponte do Bairrinho, built of schist and located beside the Real Filatório.

The Pelourinho de Chacim is also distinguished by a specific architectural detail: it stands on a platform of three square steps. The medieval Ponte de Paradinha crosses the Rio Azibo. Its level roadway rests on two round arches, a larger central one and a smaller one to the side; it too is made of schist. The Capela do Desterro adds to the picture as part of Chacim’s historic architectural remains.

The village’s traditional crafts include weaving, embroidery and sewing, which are considered centuries-old traditions. Together with the Real Filatório, the bridges and the Pelourinho, they offer different ways to explore Chacim’s cultural history, from architectural forms to handicrafts.

Rural Surroundings and a Short Hike

Those interested in the landscape will find more than a single scenic highlight in Chacim. The Riacho shapes the village’s rural surroundings, while olive groves, vineyards and pastures grazed by animals also define the area. These features give a stay a different focus from the historic buildings, without requiring you to choose between a cultural trip and time outdoors.

The short Rota Entre Aldeias hiking route begins and ends near an information board in the village of Chacim. This gives you a specific hiking option alongside the cultural attractions. When planning, you can weigh up whether to focus on the buildings and traditions, the rural surroundings or a mixture of both.

Traditions and Dates

The Feira de São José in Chacim takes place every year on 19 March. Check the programme for the relevant year before travelling. Another event is the Feira das Cebolas, which is associated with preserving and celebrating local traditions. A report from 2023 gives 10 September as its recurring annual date; check the programme for the relevant year when planning your trip.

These two dates offer different occasions to include local traditions in your travel plans. If attending an event is important to you, plan around the respective dates and the current programme. If you would rather focus your stay on the buildings or the landscape, the events can instead provide an additional cultural highlight.

Plan the Right Stay

When looking for a holiday rental, you can start by considering which side of Chacim matters most to you during your stay. The bridges, Pelourinho, Real Filatório and handicrafts lend themselves to a focus on history and culture; the Riacho, olive groves, vineyards, pastures and Rota Entre Aldeias offer a different emphasis. If you would like to combine both, you can treat the local traditions and the short hike as separate parts of your travel plans. This will help you decide on the balance you want between village culture and the rural setting before choosing your accommodation.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Chacim, Torre de Moncorvo, Vimioso, Mogadouro, Carrazeda De Ansiães, Freixo De Espada À Cinta, Vinhais, Felgar.

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