Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Mangualde, Portugal

In Central Portugal’s Dão-Lafões region, Mangualde is a serene provincial town situated close to the city of Viseu. Exploring the town and its vicinity reveals a Megalithic monument, Roman ruins, exquisite Baroque mansions, and hermitages perched on hilltops. The fertile lands in the Dão River Valley are adorned with vineyards, apple orchards, and wheat fields, providing a wealth of intriguing discoveries along your walks.

Mangualde is renowned for the Feira dos Santos, a food market that has been a tradition for centuries. At these stalls, visitors quickly notice that pork products and cured sausages are specialties of Mangualde, which pair beautifully with a robust Dão Valley wine.

Let us explore the notable attractions in Mangualde:

1. Anta de Cunha Baixa

Located in Cunha Baixa, just a few minutes from Mangualde, stands a solitary Megalithic monument in a field.

This dolmen, potentially dating back 5,000 years, underwent restoration in the 1980s and 1990s.

It serves as a funerary monument, featuring a main chamber that measures three meters in diameter and 3.2 meters in height.

The chamber comprises nine granite slabs, and if you examine the stone closely, you can discern faint carvings.

Access to the chamber is through a corridor lined with slabs and paved with smaller granite stones.

Archaeological investigations around the dolmen indicate its usage extended well into the Bronze Age, spanning thousands of years.

2. Santuário de Nossa Senhora do Castelo

Dominating the town’s eastern skyline is a hermitage chapel established in 1832. The structure showcases a Baroque facade dating back to earlier periods, complemented by a Neoclassical altar situated in its chancel.

This chapel is the latest in a sequence of places of worship built on this elevation since the 15th century, commemorating the Portuguese victory over Spain at the Battle of Trancoso in 1385. While the building merits a visit, the ascent to the hill and the accompanying scenery are the true attractions.

Winding through pines, cypresses, and cork oaks, a monumental stairway adorned with obelisks leads you to a platform that offers stunning views of Mangualde and the surrounding countryside.

3. Palácio dos Condes da Anadia

The residence of the Counts of Anadia has transformed into a wine estate and may well be the most distinguished structure in Mangualde.

This Baroque palace was constructed between the 1730s and 1800s.

Notable historical figures have walked these halls, including André Masséna, a marshal of the French army during the 1810 invasion of Portugal. Additionally, Luís I of Portugal visited in 1862 post the completion of the Beira Alta railway.

Admire the intricate masonry on both the Italianate southern and western facades, adorned with splendid craftsmanship.

The interior is furnished with period pieces and features glazed tiles and artwork from Italian masters such as Gigagenti, Pellegrini, and Lanzarotto.

4. Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Maceira Dão

Reaching this abandoned Cistercian monastery entails a small adventure through remote vineyard-covered terrain in the Dão River valley.

After departing from the N16 and navigating past the hamlet of Vila Garcia, a dirt road leads you to your destination.

The monastery ceased operation in 1834, following the dissolution of religious fraternities in Portugal.

This establishment had thrived for centuries, dating back to 1173. The medieval tower, completed around the 1400s, remains well-preserved, along with monastic constructions from the 1500s, such as the cloister, refectory, infirmary, chapterhouse, and cells.

5. Igreja da Misericórdia de Mangualde

The town’s magnificent main church was constructed between 1720 and 1764 in the Baroque style, under the direction of architect Gaspar Ferreira from Coimbra.

Churches affiliated with the Misericórdia fraternity typically form part of a collective, and this one is integrated with a bell tower, several halls, and a sacristy, all unified by similar architectural style.

Pay attention to the facade with its elegant masonry and the interior chancel: the gilt-wood altarpiece may boast the highest quality craftsmanship in the entire Viseu diocese, while the ceiling features 15 panels painted in Lisbon during the 1600s.

The azulejos, painted in Coimbra in the mid-1700s, depict Marian symbols and biblical scenes, including “Feeding the Multitude.”

6. Ermida de Nossa Senhora de Cervães

Another historic hermitage and viewpoint is located near the village of Santiago de Cassurrães to the east.

This location has hosted a chapel since the 1100s, with the current structure being completed in 1660. The architecture showcases a blend of Mannerist and Baroque styles, evident in the bell tower and the scrollworks on the facade’s gable.

If the door is open, venture inside to admire the painted panels adorning the chancel ceiling.

Additionally, the site features a grand granite stairway ascending the hill to the chapel, offering panoramic vistas extending towards Serra da Estrela in the east.

7. Termas de Alcafache

This spa is nestled within Mangualde’s peaceful countryside, surrounded by coniferous forests, vineyards, and apple orchards.

The mineral-rich water that rises from the granite bedrock at the site’s river is known for its beneficial properties, particularly for individuals dealing with respiratory issues, skin ailments, mobility challenges, and musculoskeletal or metabolic disorders.

However, many visitors come primarily for relaxation and pampering, as a wide array of treatments including massages, mud wraps, jacuzzis, and jet showers are available.

In collaboration with the Dão-Lafões tourist board, the spa hosts musical performances featuring pop, folk, and jazz artists during summer evenings.

8. Citânia da Raposeira

At the base of Monte da Nossa Senhora do Castelo lie the ruins of an ancient Roman inn.

This establishment was constructed during the reign of Augustus at the beginning of the 1st century and was strategically located at the convergence of two significant imperial roads.

The inn served as an essential stop for travelers, providing accommodations, space for pack animals, and even thermal baths.

Additionally, it operated as a postal station for Rome’s “cursus publicus” courier service.

Bilingual interpretation boards at the site offer insights, accompanied by helpful reconstructions adjacent to each section of ruins.

9. Calçada Romana de Mourilhe

A segment of one of the Roman roads that once traversed Mangualde has been uncovered just southeast of the town.

This site lies a few kilometers away, between the villages of Mourilha and Mesquitela.

This find is sure to intrigue amateur historians and is a worthwhile excursion for those wishing to venture into the countryside.

The exposed road spans approximately 50 meters in length and 5.6 meters wide.

Visitors can observe how the surface comprises four layers: the bottom layer is a coarse cement, followed by finer stone cement, and on top, there is gravel serving as a base for the robust flagstones.

Observant guests may notice groove marks left by ancient chariots.

10. Viseu

The impressive city of Viseu, located 15 kilometers west of Mangualde, is essential for enthusiasts of art and culture.

The pinnacle of the town combines both historical and cultural significance, featuring the Manueline cathedral and an excellent art museum housed in a seminary building.

Viseu boasts a rich artistic heritage and was the birthplace of Portugal’s most celebrated Renaissance painter, Grão Vasco.

The museum exhibits several notable works, including a polyptych that previously adorned the cathedral’s altarpiece, alongside pieces by Gaspar Vaz, Grão Vasco’s notable rival, and a follower of the Viseu School.

11. Live Beach

Mangualde is situated 100 kilometers from the coast, leading to the creation of an artificial beach experience: Live Beach, which debuted in the summer of 2011. Operating for three months from June to September, this attraction features a crescent of fine sand surrounding a large blue pool.

Visitors may rent sun loungers and umbrellas, and a restaurant is available on-site, along with a stage that hosts live music performances in the evenings.

Surrounded by lush evergreen woodland, the beach offers picturesque views of Monte da Nossa Senhora do Castelo from the water.

12. Feira dos Santos

Mangualde’s annual market, Feira dos Santos, is nationally recognized and bears a heritage that extends over 300 years.

Taking place on the first weekend of November, it serves as an accessible means to engage with Mangualde’s local traditions.

This is especially true for its culinary offerings, as stalls feature nuts, honey, and wine, alongside locally crafted items like pottery and embroidery.

The enticing aroma of barbecued pork loin, cured sausages, and chops permeates the air, awakening the appetite.

Local restaurants also create special menus during the fair, showcasing regional produce such as apples, pumpkins, and cheeses.

13. Walking Trails (Percursos Pedrestes)

The picturesque Dão-Lafões countryside surrounding Mangualde invites exploration along five designated walking trails developed by the local tourist office.

Due to the gentle terrain, none of these trails exceed medium difficulty, with the longest, PR5, measuring ten kilometers and taking around four hours to complete.

As you wander, you will come across river canyons, olive groves, vineyards, apple orchards, cork oaks, eucalyptus trees, and pines, in addition to historical sites.

Potential points of interest include a secluded chapel, a village fountain, a medieval bridge, or an ancient location such as the Castro do Bom Sucesso, where a Bronze Age settlement once thrived atop a 765-meter hill.

14. Dão Wine

The Dão Valley is endowed with optimal conditions for wine production: the alluvial soils are both rich and well-draining; winters in this continental region tend to be cool and moist, while summers provide consistent warmth.

The elevated temperatures yield high-quality red wines crafted from Touriga Nacional, Jaen, Alfrocheiro, and Tinta Roriz grapes.

These wines are revered for their robust flavors and excellent aging potential.

This introduction merely scratches the surface, as there are nine vineyards worth considering for a wine tour in Mangualde.

This includes agrarian cooperatives and esteemed country estates like the Palácio dos Condes de Anadia, located on the outskirts of the town.

15. Local Food

The Feira dos Santos already indicates that meat lovers will find ample options in Mangualde.

An iconic local dish is rojões à moda de Mangualde, which comprises pork belly and ham, sautéed on a skillet and served with boiled turnip greens and a selection of sausages including morcela (black pudding), farinheira, and chouriço.

Another culinary highlight is roasted chicken breast stuffed with farinheira sausage, accompanied by a bed of spinach.

Such hearty red meat dishes are best enjoyed with a glass of Dão wine.

For dessert, choices include baked apples or a pumpkin fondant.