Avis: Castle, Monastery History and Water Experiences

Avis combines an impressive history of religious orders with a wide range of activities around the Maranhão Dam. Anyone planning a trip combining culture, water activities and regional discoveries will find a variety of ways to enjoy diverse days here. When looking for a holiday apartment in Avis, you can therefore first decide whether the town’s history, museum visits or activities on the water should be the main focus for you.

Avis Castle and the History of the Order

The walls and Avis Castle have been classified as a national monument since 16 June 1910. Of the six towers that once surrounded the fortifications, the Torre da Rainha, also known as Torre do Convento, the Torre de S. Roque and the Torre de S. António have survived to this day. Construction of Avis Castle is thought to have begun in 1214 – a historical connection that makes a tour of the complex particularly interesting.

The complex of the Convento de São Bento de Avis comprises a church, the old cloister, a cistern, the chapter house, the monks’ reading room, the refectory, the dormitory and the palace of the order’s masters. The former Convento de São Bento de Avis was the seat of the Order of Avis, which played an important role in the medieval Alto Alentejo. The Igreja do Convento also reflects several historical periods: it has medieval origins and was extended up to the 18th century.

Museums of History and Regional Life

The CIOA – Centro Interpretativo da Ordem de Avis presents a permanent chronological exhibition on the history of the Order of Saint Benedict of Avis. It also brings together scattered documents about the order in digital form. This makes it a worthwhile place to visit if you would like to learn about historical connections not only through buildings but also through exhibitions and documents.

The MusCA – Museu do Campo Alentejano is housed in rooms of the former Convento de São Bento de Avis, including the chapter house and the monks’ reading room. The collection focuses on agricultural and pastoral life and is primarily ethnographic in nature. For visitors with visual impairments, the MusCA has a tactile area and information in Braille. The CAA – Centro de Arqueologia de Avis offers, among other things, educational and playful activities as well as guided tours. Those travelling with children can therefore plan a more exploratory side of Avis in addition to the waterside playground.

Water Experiences at the Maranhão Dam

In the vicinity of Avis, the Maranhão Dam forms a 46-kilometre-long body of water that runs through the entire municipality of Avis. The Estação Náutica de Avis is officially recognised by the Rede de Estações Náuticas de Portugal and organised as an integrated tourism network based around the Albufeira do Maranhão as its central foundation.

In the area around the reservoir, there are opportunities for rowing, canoeing, windsurfing, fishing, water skiing and swimming. At Praia Fluvial do Clube Náutico de Avis, visitors can swim in open water, row, canoe and go stand-up paddleboarding. The area around this beach also has a picnic area, a playground, a restaurant, a bar, a campsite and municipal swimming pools. This means that when planning your trip, you can choose between a culturally focused day and various activities on the water.

Além Tejo Eco Boat Tours rents out stand-up paddleboards on the Albufeira do Maranhão and offers boat tours on a fully ecological boat. The services also include hiking trails and guided tours of places in the municipality of Avis, including transport.

For additional trip planning, you can also consider Benavila, Aldeia Velha and Ervedal.

For the higher-level travel overview: Avis.