Monuments, Heritage and Culture

Don't miss it:

Medieval Bridge of Ucanha

Distance: 3.5 km

It marks the entrance to the former estate of the Santa Maria de Salzedas monastery and is located within the restored wine-producing village of Ucanha, one of six in the Douro region.

Medieval Monastery of St. John of Tarouca

Distance: 3 km

It may have been the first Cistercian monastery in Portugal. Founded during the reign of King Afonso Henriques, it features medieval architecture highlighted by 16th-century paintings by Gaspar Vaz (a collaborator of Grão Vasco) and significant Baroque woodcarving, particularly in the choir stalls. It has a small museum and the possibility of visiting the ruins of the monastery's outbuildings. The large dormitory and the monastic garden with its aromatic plants (and a shop for purchases) are worth seeing. A visit to the sacristy is essential.

The Path of the Monks

Distance: 3 km

This route, with a total length of approximately 42 km, about 19 km in the municipality of Lamego and 23 km in Tarouca, connects the Cistercian monasteries and farms in the region through rural paths. It begins at the Monastery of São João de Tarouca, 3 km from Mondim, and ends in the Douro Valley, where the monks had farms producing the sweet wine of Lamego. Walking the Monks' Path is to discover local history, religion, and heritage, some of which is around 900 years old. Sometimes there is a day with registration for a group walk; on that day, there is a stop halfway for a regional lunch outdoors, cooked in three-legged iron pots, finishing in the mid-afternoon with a snack.

Ferreirim Convent

Distance: 6 km

The main altarpiece, carved in the style of Joanine architecture with proto-Baroque carvings on the sides, and the medieval tomb of the Counts of Marialva, are two highlights of the interior. There is a small interpretive center where the 16th-century panels by the so-called Masters of Ferreirim (Cristóvão de Figueiredo, Garcia Fernandes, and Gregório Lopes) stand out.

Medieval Monastery of Santa Maria de Salzedas

Distance: 7 km

Founded by the widow of Egas Moniz, it has a small museum where the visit to the cloisters, sacristy, cells and corridor of the old dormitory stands out. Salzedas is part of the route of the six Wine Villages of the Douro. The Monastic Dinner takes place annually in its cloisters, usually on a weekend in June, a program that includes a visit to the main monuments of the "Vale do Varosa Monuments Network".

Anta de Mazes village (near Mazes)

Distance: 11 km

A mountain village with some houses still thatched, without electricity, overlooking a small stream high in the mountains. A 6 km walking route (Anta de Mazes Trail) can be booked through the Lamego City Council.

Tel. 254 609 600
Email: camara@cm-lamego.pt

Historic Train

Distance: 24 km

It operates from June to October and departs from Régua to Tua (round trip), stopping halfway at the beautiful Pinhão station, always alongside the Douro River. It's the best route to enjoy the landscape classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. On the steam locomotive, with five equally old wooden carriages, there's some entertainment with a group of traditional singers from the region and a toast with Port wine, but the most impressive thing is ultimately the landscape of the Douro River valley.

Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lapa

Distance: 36 km

This is a group of well-preserved buildings and square surrounding the church of Our Lady of Lapa, whose unique feature is that the main altar of the temple is located inside a grotto within the church. It is a place of great worship and pilgrimage, especially in August. Here you can also buy regional products such as Lapa bread, chestnut jam, or cheeses from the Serra da Lapa.

Romanesque Church of the Hermitage of St. Peter of the Eagles

Distance: 38 km

It is possible to visit the church and also the estate of the Convent of São Pedro das Águias, a little further on, the place where the friars moved in the 16th century and which is now a wine-producing estate with tastings.

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