Summary
In the Beira Alta region of central Portugal, Tondela is a tranquil town nestled amidst pine-covered mountains alongside the River Dão.
The town developed rapidly in the 1700s, featuring numerous Baroque townhouses from this era, one of which currently houses an informative museum dedicated to the region.
ACERT in Tondela serves as a cultural venue that any major city would cherish, consistently offering engaging activities in its galleries and auditoriums.
However, much of your visit will be enjoyed in the scenic countryside, particularly along the peaceful greenway that extends to Viseu, or in the Caramulo area.
This locale was historically a sanatorium town in the 20th century, adorned with Art Deco architecture that reflects its prosperous past.
Let’s explore the most notable activities in Tondela:
1. Museu do Caramulo
The museum houses a collection of luxury cars, exquisite art, and an array of miniatures and antique toys.
Automobile enthusiasts will be captivated by the collection, which includes rare pieces such as the personal Cadillac and an armored Mercedes belonging to the authoritarian leader António de Oliveira Salazar.
The art galleries feature works from renowned artists like Salvador Dalí, Picasso, and Vieira da Silva, with one of the prominent exhibits showcasing a set of four Tournai tapestries woven in the 1500s that depict Portugal’s revolutionary voyages during the Age of Discovery.
2. Sights in Tondela
The historical center of Tondela comprises a charming network of cobblestone streets surrounding the town hall.
Many townhouses date back to the 1600s and 1700s, coinciding with Tondela’s transition from a collection of farms to a hub of local administration and trade.
You can leisurely wander these streets and quaint squares for an hour or two.
One notable landmark is the Fonte da Seria located on Avenida Tomaz Ribeiro, an 18th-century fountain erected to address Tondela’s water shortage, featuring a grand Baroque pediment adorned with the royal coat of arms.
The pillory in front of the town hall symbolizes the town’s sovereignty, where offenders were publicly punished centuries ago.
3. Caramulo
If you’re curious about how the museum’s valuable collections ended up in this mountain village, the origins trace back to the 1920s. The physician Jerónimo Lacerda, who was acquainted with Salazar, transformed Caramulo into a sanatorium resort for affluent individuals suffering from tuberculosis.
There were a total of 19 sanatoriums strategically placed on the mountainside to maximize sunlight exposure.
These structures exhibit Art Deco style, with many remaining alongside chalets from the same period designed for staff accommodation.
Caramulo was considered an advanced model village during its time, boasting its own electricity supply and essential services such as sewage, running water, and garbage collection that were otherwise scarce in Portugal.
4. Ecopista Do Dão
The 49-kilometer Dão railway line courses through Tondela, tracing the route of the river from Viseu to Santa Comba Dão.
This railway, established in 1890, was discontinued in 1988 but has since been repurposed as a paved cycling and walking path that traverses picturesque upland landscapes.
As you navigate the trail, you will cross the river on an antique industrial bridge and pass beneath verdant mountains blanketed with chestnut trees, cork oaks, as well as orchards and vineyards.
Some stations along the line are now remnants of history, while others have been refurbished and transformed into restaurants and cafés since the Ecopista was completed in 2011.
5. Museu Terras de Besteiros
This museum, located within the esteemed Solar Casa de Sant’Ana manor, focuses on the culture, both historical and contemporary, of the Terras de Besteiros parish.
The museum’s permanent collection spans two floors, the ground level providing insights into human development in this region of Portugal since prehistoric times.
Exhibits include prehistoric rock art and tools, alongside later Roman artifacts and religious artworks from the medieval period.
The upper floor showcases ethnological themes depicting rural life in Terras de Besteiros before the onset of industrialization, featuring displays of basketry tools, flax cultivation equipment, and traditional black clay pottery.
6. Capela de Nossa Senhora do Campo
This chapel dates back to the 1400s and was constructed following a Marian apparition in Terras de Besteiros.
The current structure reflects changes made in 1616, as indicated by a plaque above the portal’s pediment.
The shrine, dedicated to Nossa Senhora do Campo (Our Lady of the Field), gained significant popularity over the years, leading to additional decorations and fittings over the following centuries.
The chapel features elaborate Rococo-style marble-effect altars and frescoes from the 1700s, while the colorful limestone statue of Mary originates from the 1600s.
7. Serra do Caramulo
In Caramulo, it is essential to venture out and explore the surrounding mountainous landscapes, which can be traversed on foot, by bicycle, or horseback.
The Serra do Caramulo is characterized by its granite and schist formations, adorned with heather and striking clusters of boulders at its tallest peak.
The region features numerous walking trails that reveal unique granite formations, waterfalls, prehistoric dolmens, and citrus groves, following routes first established by the Romans.
Nestled high in the mountains are charming villages such as Fornelo do Monte and Covas, seemingly untouched by time due to their remote locations.
8. Cabeço da Neve
You don’t need to hike for hours to reach this overlook in the Serra do Caramulo; you can take a winding mountain road to arrive at this natural vantage point almost 1,000 meters above sea level.
Upon arrival, you can park and clamber over the granite boulders to fully appreciate the magnificent mountain vistas.
Below Cabeço da Neve, the terrain abruptly drops away, revealing villages nestled in valleys hundreds of meters below.
This dramatic elevation attracts paragliders and microlights, and you can contact ASA Livre, the local paragliding club in Caramulo, for a tandem flight experience.
9. ACERT
Portugal’s passion for the arts is evident in the presence of vibrant cultural centers like ACERT, even in small rural towns like Tondela. This venue, known as Associação Cultural e Recreativa de Tondela, hosts theater productions, cinema screenings, live music, photography exhibitions, and fine art displays, supported jointly by the government and a non-profit theater organization.
The facility features three stages, including a modern amphitheater with a seating capacity of 480 for outdoor performances and film screenings during summer.
Additionally, there is a bar that hosts live music performances for more intimate audiences.
To discover the current events, check the ACERT website upon your arrival in the area.
10. Parque Urbano de Tondela
While the town’s urban park may not be a major attraction, it provides an ideal setting for morning jogs.
Younger children will also enjoy the newly established adventure playground.
In summer, a large screen is used to showcase sporting events, with movie screenings occurring during the evenings.
At other times, it serves as a peaceful place to meander amidst greenery and catch continuous views of the surrounding mountains.
11. Viseu
This district capital has a long-standing history of habitation well preceding the Roman invasion, establishing itself as a significant cultural center throughout the ages.
Portugal’s most esteemed Renaissance artist, Grão Vasco, was born and began his artistic journey in Viseu, with his works featured prominently in the local art museum.
This museum is located within an elegant seminary and shares a square at the city’s highest point with the cathedral and a magnificent Baroque church.
The cathedral is an essential attraction in Viseu, showcasing a rich tapestry of architectural styles ranging from Gothic to Mannerist.
Inside, visitors can appreciate its intricate details, with the Manueline ribbed vaulting particularly noteworthy.
12. Caramulo Motorfestival
Given the winding mountain roads and a museum filled with classic cars, Caramulo is the ideal setting for a vintage car and motorcycle festival, partially organized by the museum.
This annual event occurs on the second weekend of September, featuring rallies, a motor parade, and a classic car fair.
Car enthusiasts from across Portugal and internationally converge in Caramulo during this weekend, marking it as possibly the most significant event in Tondela’s calendar.
The festival includes aerobatic demonstrations, attractions for children, and live music in the evenings.
13. Dão Wine Region
Tondela serves as an excellent starting point for wine enthusiasts, boasting an abundance of vineyards primarily producing red wines under the Dão DOC designation. Within this municipality, three wineries: Quinta da Sernada, Quinta das Camelias, and Quinta da Reguenga, welcome visitors.
These wineries offer opportunities to tour their facilities, converse with vintners regarding agricultural practices and winemaking processes, and sample their wines, of course.
Historically, the region’s hot continental climate and extended maceration periods have yielded robust reds and full-bodied whites, a characteristic that persists in many Dão wines.
However, newer winemaking techniques are starting to reshape the region’s profile, resulting in somewhat lighter reds and more refreshing whites.
14. Molelos Pottery
If you are searching for an unusual souvenir, the village of Molelos offers a distinctive option.
For generations, artisans in this area have been producing clay pottery with a remarkable black sheen. This finish was traditionally achieved by burying the completed item in a pit filled with smoking charcoal, imparting the characteristic color.
Today, they utilize ovens to replicate this effect, crafting an assortment of decorative items, including candlesticks, teapots, and plates adorned with intricate arabesque patterns.
15. Typical Cuisine
The same wood-fired ovens employed for crafting Molelos’ distinctive black clay pottery are also used to prepare traditional local dishes.
Highlight culinary staples include roasted veal and goat served with baked potatoes, alongside rice accompanied by goat meat.
Artisanal cured sausages such as alheira, morcela, and chouriço are delightful whether served hot or cold.
The Dão region, along with the numerous streams originating from Serra de Caramulo, provides a continuous supply of trout and other freshwater fish, typically pan-fried, grilled, or baked.
If you wish to take a delicious local product home, Caramulo honey is renowned for its quality, aptly earning the title “O Oura da Montanha,” translating to “Gold of the Mountain.”
