Top 15 Activities and Attractions in Paços de Ferreira, Portugal

Situated on a plateau in the Norte region, Paços de Ferreira is a small municipality characterized by its industrious environment. Since the 1800s, the furniture industry has been the predominant employer, with the town serving as the Portuguese headquarters for Ikea manufacturing. A furniture museum located in the former town hall offers a comprehensive exploration of Paços de Ferreira’s exceptional craftsmanship in woodwork.

For those interested in cultural heritage, the Sousa Valley’s Romanesque Route passes through this area, boasting several ancient churches over a thousand years old. Additionally, remnants of a long-lost city, formerly inhabited by thousands, add to the richness of the town’s history. The local football team also plays in the Primeira Liga, exceeding expectations.

Now, let us delve into the noteworthy attractions in Paços de Ferreira:

1. Citânia de Sanfins

Paços de Ferreira houses the ruins of a city that spans 15 hectares, established by Celtic tribes that dominated this part of Iberia prior to the Roman conquest.

Experts regard this site as one of the prominent castros (fortified villages) in the Iberian Peninsula. The Citânia de Sanfins served as a regional capital, at one time accommodating 3,000 residents. Visitors are often captivated by the substantial remnants, as the foundational level of each building was constructed using durable stone walls, preserving the layout on the hilltop.

Additionally, one of its structures has been reconstructed with a thatched roof, enriching the experience for visitors.

2. Museu Arqueológico da Citânia de Sanfins

Adjacent to the ruins, one can enter the Solar dos Brandões, which provides insight into the history and chronology of this enigmatic city.

This 18th-century mansion, elegantly refined, was later expanded by a nobleman who gained wealth in Brazil.

The galleries within detail the archaeological excavations that commenced in 1944 and persisted for five decades.

Visitors will gain a more personal understanding of the citizens who inhabited the city, alongside their customs and trade relations with cultures extending to the Middle East.

Among the exhibits is a remarkable statue unearthed at the site, in addition to pottery, coins, inscribed stones, masonry nails, and a scale model of the city at its zenith.

3. Igreja de São Pedro de Ferreira

Paços de Ferreira’s cultural centerpiece is this Romanesque church dating back to the 1100s.

This structure is a significant highlight along the Rota do Românico, an itinerary encompassing 21 churches, chapels, and monasteries within the Sousa Valley.

Scholars of medieval architecture are drawn to this edifice, which seamlessly integrates styles from the Zamora school (exemplified in the archivolts) and Coimbra, evident in the detailed masonry of its capitals.

Moreover, the intricate carvings on the lateral portals closely resemble those found on a nearby church located in Unhã.

Among the more contemporary additions inside is the Manueline baptismal font and a polychromed portrayal of St. Peter, both dating from the 1500s.

4. Dólmen de Lamoso

Situated in the picturesque countryside to the north of the municipality, one will encounter a megalithic monument that has remained intact for more than 3,000 years.

Commonly referred to as the Dolmen de Leira Longa, this funerary structure is impressively large.

The total diameter of the site spans 25 meters, centered around a main polygonal chamber that exceeds three meters in height and is supported by nine massive pillars.

Visitors enter through a short corridor, flanked by four smaller slabs on either side.

5. Museu do Móvel

Paços de Ferreira is colloquially known as the “Capital do Móvel” (Capital of Furniture), which is the focus of the town’s municipal museum.

The museum is housed in the former town hall, showcasing furniture pieces and the tools utilized in their production across spacious exhibition areas.

Exhibits include antique beds, sofas, chairs, cabinets, and dressers topped with marble, all crafted locally. The museum also outlines the processes involved in transforming raw timber into furniture.

Visitors will find a comprehensive collection of tools, including both manual and mechanical saws, wood planes, vintage vices, and workbenches.

6. Capela de São Francisco

Located in Freamunde, this 18th-century chapel forms part of a triangular ensemble that includes a hospice from the same era.

Both the hospice and chapel were established by the Third Order of St. Francis. While the ensemble is modest in size, it stands as a perfectly designed structure.

Visitors to the chapel will notice the triangular pediment inscribed with the order’s insignia above the portal.

Inside, the modest 18th-century altar and its two lateral retables combine Baroque and Neoclassical elements, making for an engaging site.

7. Pelourinho de Paços de Ferreira

In Portuguese towns, pillories carry judicial, administrative, and political significance, symbolizing a town’s autonomy while also serving as locations for public punishment of offenders.

The pillory in Paços de Ferreira is situated within a small formal garden in front of the former town hall, which now accommodates the Furniture Museum.

This structure, crafted from granite in the 18th century, features a Doric column with a capital displaying the Portuguese national coat of arms beneath a royal crown.

This monument replaced an earlier pillory from the 1400s that was lost in the 1700s.

8. Miradouro do Monte do Pilar

This peak, located less than ten minutes from Paços de Ferreira in Penamaior, reaches 500 meters above sea level. On clear days, one can observe the cities of Porto, Vila Nova de Gaia, and the skyline of Maia and Matosinhos to the west.

The prominent feature at this vantage point is the large statue of Christ the King, established in 1961 to replace an earlier statue that was destroyed by a storm after just one year.

The site also includes a small chapel and a picnic area within a grove, providing a picturesque setting for sunsets.

9. Igreja Matriz de Carvalhosa

This church, which has medieval origins, was expanded in the early 17th century.

This alteration resulted in a unique structure, making it one of only two churches in the region to feature two identical naves side by side.

The facade is unadorned, save for a Gothic limestone image of St. John, the church’s patron.

Visitors will also discover interesting features inside, including an 18th-century Tree of Jesse, depicting the lineage of Christ.

This type of artwork is exceedingly rare in Portugal, with only two other documented examples.

10. Castro do Monte Padrão

To the west of Paços de Ferreira lies another captivating ancient site.

Visiting these ruins and their interpretation center serves a dual purpose, as this wooded granite ridge offers breathtaking views of the Ave Valley.

The castro is among the oldest settlements in the area, dating back to the 9th century BC, with evidence of habitation extending as recently as the 1300s.

Three defensive walls enclose a network of low structures that were once living quarters and communal spaces.

The interpretation center provides a timeline of the site, while artifacts can be found at the Museu Abade de Pedrosa in Santo Tirso.

11. F.C. Paços de Ferreira

The local football team, while not historically dominant, has been competing in the Portuguese top league for over a decade.

Attending a match ensures an enjoyable atmosphere and solid competition.

In 2013, they stunned fans by breaking the traditional dominance of the “Big Three” in the Primeira Liga, finishing third and qualifying for the Champions League.

Revenue generated from their recent European success has been reinvested into their stadium, Estádio da Capital do Móvel, which, by 2017, reached a capacity of over 9,000. Matches are typically held every two weeks between August and May.

The crowds are notably larger and more spirited during matches against local rivals such as Guimarães, Moreirense, C.D. Aves, or FC Porto.

12. Santo Tirso

Do not miss the opportunity to visit Santo Tirso and its historic Benedictine Monastery, located merely minutes away.

The monastery predates the town itself, dating back to the 10th century.

The present building is a complex structure that includes a church, administrative offices, and the municipal museum.

A newly constructed annex houses the International Contemporary Sculpture Museum, inaugurated in 2016, designed by renowned architects Álvaro Siza Vieira and Eduardo Souto de Moura.

This museum serves as a showcase for the 47 public art installations scattered throughout the city, designed by notable artists such as Peter Klasen, José Barrias, Wang Keping, and Peter Stampfli.

13. Mosteiro de Cete

For those interested in medieval history, the highlight of the Romanesque Route is located just a short distance to the south.

This church, recognized as a National Monument, stands among the region’s oldest Romanesque structures, with origins tracing back to 985. It underwent restoration in the late 11th century, conducted by Gonçalo Oveques, a companion of the Count of Portugal.

The church retains a lack of subsequent embellishments, featuring blind arches and sculpted capitals in the apse, along with a square crenellated Gothic tower constructed in the 1300s.

Within the funerary chapel, visitors can view Gonçalo Oveques’s granite tomb, adorned with walls decorated in Moorish-style geometric tiles from the 1500s, coinciding with the completion of the cloister.

14. Porto

Once you are on the A4 or A41, Porto will be readily accessible, reachable within approximately 20 minutes.

This vibrant UNESCO World Heritage city offers countless attractions.

Visitors may wish to explore the nuances between tawny and ruby port at a wine lodge, or wander through the narrow, winding streets of the lively Ribeira district.

Iconic landmarks such as the Dom Luís I Bridge, conceived by a founder of the Eiffel Company, and the Clérigos Church, designed by Nicolau Nasoni, a luminary of the Portuguese Baroque, are also must-see sights.

For contemporary culture enthusiasts, the Casa da Música, designed by Rem Koolhaas, alongside the Serralves Museum and Art Deco house, are essential visits.

15. Capaõ de Freamunde

Among the culinary highlights of the Paços de Ferreira municipality is the Freamunde capon.

This dish features castrated roosters that are meticulously raised to achieve exceptional tenderness and flavor.

The town takes considerable pride in its capons, celebrating their culinary significance with the Feira dos Capões, a long-standing fair dedicated to these birds.

This tradition dates back to the 1400s, officially sanctioned by royal decree in 1719. The fair commences at the end of November, during which restaurants in Paços de Ferreira showcase capon dishes and compete for the title of best roast.