Cabanas de Baixo

Those who choose Cabanas de Baixo as a destination and want to include cultural experiences in their plans can get to know Torre de Moncorvo from several perspectives: along historic routes, in museums, through sacred buildings, regional specialities and experiences in the landscape. This creates a journey that combines discovery, activity and quiet observation of nature.

Historic routes through Torre de Moncorvo

The Rota do Património Histórico starts at the Loja Interativa de Turismo and runs through the historic centre of Torre de Moncorvo. A second option is the Rota dos Judeus. It also begins at the Loja Interativa de Turismo and conveys both tangible and intangible Jewish heritage along the route. Those travelling with different age groups can therefore choose between two thematic approaches: one focuses on the historic centre, while the other explores Jewish history and culture.

The Museu do Castelo de Torre de Moncorvo is also part of the historical orientation. It displays structures, materials and information recovered during archaeological work carried out between 1988 and 2018 at the medieval castle, its Alcáçova and the weapons courtyard. The museum also serves as an interpretive and educational centre for the castle ruins and the archaeological work carried out there. In Torre de Moncorvo, the name Castelo refers in particular to a rectangular area above Praça Francisco Meireles, bounded by strong granite walls.

Museums, churches and Jewish history

The Museu do Ferro & da Região de Moncorvo is dedicated to the region’s archaeological and industrial heritage, its settlements and communities around the Serra do Reboredo and the Vale da Vilariça. A particular focus is placed on iron extraction. At the Museu de Arte Sacra, the exhibition “Arte e Fé em Torre de Moncorvo” presents works from the collections of the Igreja Matriz and the Igreja da Misericórdia de Torre de Moncorvo. The museum’s collection comprises 94 items, including sculptures, paintings, liturgical vestments, liturgical objects, goldsmith’s work and printed books from the collection of the Igreja Matriz.

Photography enthusiasts will find that the Núcleo Museológico da Fotografia do Douro Superior holds photographs dating from 1894 onwards and a total collection of around 100,000 photographs. The Centro de Estudos Judaicos Maria da Assunção Carqueja e Adriano Vasco Rodrigues is designed as an interpretive and educational centre for Jewish history and culture. It consists of two locations: the house on Rua Nova, which tradition holds was the synagogue, and the house on avenida Engenheiro Duarte Pacheco, which is associated with the Inquisition.

Sacred architecture also offers specific details to discover. The Igreja Matriz de Torre de Moncorvo, the church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção, was completed at the beginning of the 17th century and has a Renaissance portal with three orders of Corinthian columns and numerous niches. The single-nave Igreja da Misericórdia features a gilded Baroque altarpiece and a Renaissance pulpit in the shape of a chalice. The individual sides of the octagonal upper section feature depictions of the Church Fathers and Evangelists. The architectural complex consisting of the former hospital and the Chapel of Espírito Santo dates back to a hospital founded in the 16th century, which was housed there until the beginning of the 20th century. On the first floor, the Casa da Roda recreates the contemporary setting in which the “rodeira” and the “rodeiro” took in children.

Regional speciality and landscape

The Amêndoas Cobertas de Moncorvo are part of the area’s local character. To make them, sugar is slowly added over roasted almonds in a polished copper bowl. Amêndoa Coberta de Moncorvo has held IGP status since March 2018. In spring, the “Amendoeiras em Flor” initiative promotes one of the important local crops as well as this regional speciality.

There are also various opportunities to enjoy days in nature. In the Serra do Reboredo, two wooden birdwatching shelters blend into the surroundings so as not to disturb the animals living there. At the summit of the Serra do Roboredo, a viewpoint offers views of the Vila de Torre de Moncorvo, the Vale da Vilariça and the Sabor and Douro rivers. The Praia Fluvial da Foz do Sabor offers opportunities for water sports and leisure activities where the Sabor River flows into the Douro.

Which accommodation suits your travel plans?

When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Cabanas de Baixo, it is worth deciding on your preferred travel rhythm first. Travellers who want to combine historic routes, museums and churches will plan their days differently from those who want to focus on viewpoints, birdwatching or water sports. This makes it easier to align the accommodation search with your own interests without limiting the trip to just one type of experience. You can also view Carviçais as another destination.

For the higher-level travel overview: Torre de Moncorvo.