Summary of Attractions in Macedo de Cavaleiros
Macedo de Cavaleiros, a town that preserves its ancestral traditions, lies within the historic Transmontano region of northeastern Portugal. Some local customs are so ancient that they date back to pagan times. This is particularly evident with the “Caretos,” whimsical and mischievous figures who take to the streets in vibrant woolen costumes and masks during the carnival season.
While traditions have remained steadfast, the landscape is ancient as well, characterized by rocks hundreds of millions of years old. This geological significance has led to the designation of the entire municipality as a “geopark.” Visitors can learn about local customs at museums dedicated to the Caretos as well as the intricate art of beekeeping. Moreover, on sunlit days, one of Portugal’s premier inland beaches is within proximity.
Let us examine the top attractions in Macedo de Cavaleiros:
1. Museu de Arte Sacra
The 18th-century Casa Falcão, one of the town’s esteemed mansions, houses Macedo de Cavaleiros’s museum of sacred art. The building itself is a delight, adorned with a stone coat of arms on its facade, and also serves as the local tourist office. Each visit offers a unique experience as the exhibition rotates, showcasing a collection of liturgical treasures from chapels and churches throughout the municipality, including paintings, polychrome statues, vestments, reliquaries, vessels, and tabernacles.
2. Albufeira do Azibo
The River Azibo was dammed in the early 1980s, creating a reservoir that serves as a critical source of drinking water and supports local agriculture. Over the past 35 years, the lake has evolved into a green sanctuary teeming with avian life. Some species, like storks and sandpipers, visit during spring and summer, while others, including herons and cormorants, can be seen throughout the year. The lush banks, protected lands, feature trails where visitors might encounter deer in the woods or otters near the water. Wild orchids are also present in the park, and remnants of prehistoric and Roman settlements can be observed along the trails.
3. Praia do Azibo
This Blue Flag beach on the reservoir has garnered national recognition, being named among the best beaches in the country during the “Seven Wonders of Portugal” competition in 2012. Its appeal is evident in the enticing golden sands and the pristine waters of the lake. The facilities enhance the experience, featuring a floating platform for swimmers, a rental station for boats and pedalos, playgrounds, dining options, expansive green areas for picnicking, and rows of sun umbrellas in summer.
4. Aldeia de Chacim
Situated on the eastern side of the Serra de Bornes, Chacim is a charming village nestled among vineyards, pine forests, olive groves, and grazing lands. It was once home to a silk processing factory, the Real Filatório de Chacim, established in 1788 that utilized Italian silk-spinning techniques. Although the factory operated for a century, it was abandoned in the 1800s due to the decline of the local silk industry. An interpretation center now resides among the factory ruins, providing insights into this once-thriving trade. Additionally, visitors can explore the Convento de Balsamão, an 18th-century convent founded by the Congregation of Marian Fathers, which is set atop a hill with medieval defenses.
5. Museu do Mel e da Apicultura
This museum highlights the region’s beekeeping heritage, the only establishment of its kind in Portugal, with two distinct branches. One exhibition, located near the old train station, features artifacts showcasing the various applications of beeswax along with antique equipment such as hive boxes, suits, and smokers. Visitors have the opportunity to sample five different types of honey and discover the unique flavors that vary based on the source nectar. For those seeking further engagement, a “living museum” at a separate location offers the chance to observe a beekeeper’s tasks through a glass enclosure, or even to don a suit and witness honeycomb production firsthand.
6. Casa do Careto
The “Careto” tradition, possibly the oldest continuous custom in Portugal, embodies a Celtic pagan ritual observed during the carnival season in the country’s northeast. Groups of young men don colorful suits made of textiles in colors such as black, yellow, green, blue, and red, accompanied by wooden, brass, or leather masks and rattles. They take to the streets to create joyous disruption on Shrove Tuesday and the preceding Sunday. Enthusiasts of folk culture may explore a dedicated museum located in the village of Podence, which features mannequins adorned with traditional garments and artifacts, while tracing the roots of this ancient custom.
7. Geopark Terras de Cavaleiros
From a geological standpoint, Macedo de Cavaleiros is a richly endowed region, with the entire municipality designated as a “Geopark.” The local stone is of considerable antiquity, with origins reaching back over 540 million years. The Morais ophiolite complex represents a significant geological feature, comprising rock that has ascended from between the Earth’s crust and mantle. This territory is home to 42 scientifically valuable sites and offers 24 short-distance walking trails. One such path, the Percurso Pedestre Geológico, allows visitors to traverse an ancient seabed over five kilometers, while the Rota Geológica showcases the area’s most intriguing geological features. Initiate your exploration at the interpretation center located at the Maciço de Morais to gain insight into this distinctive environment.
8. Museu Municipal de Arqueologia – Coronel Albino Pereira Lopo
The local archaeology museum, inaugurated in September 2016 within a former school building in Macedo de Cavaleiros, is named in honor of Coronel Albino Pereira Lopo, a pioneering figure in the field of archaeology. Active in the early 20th century, he conducted the initial archaeological survey in Bragança and established the municipal museum there. This museum spans 5,000 years of regional history, reconstructing scenes from both prehistory and Roman eras through engaging dioramas. Exhibits include fragments of prehistoric pottery, a skeleton from a Bronze Age burial site, and various tools recovered from a Roman forge.
9. Igreja Matriz de Lamalonga
A parish church offers valuable insights into the character of a town or village, and perhaps the most beautiful in the Transmontano region is located in Lamalonga. Consecrated in 1767, as noted on the facade, the interior was completed the following year. The expedited completion time likely resulted in a cohesive aesthetic, attributable to the same artisans’ contributions. The intricate carvings found in the choir, archways, windows, doors, and altar exhibit a remarkable level of craftsmanship. Notably, the coffered ceiling, adorned with 55 painted panels framed by gilt wood, stands out as a magnificent feature.
10. Museu Rural de Salselas
The village of Salselas features a well-curated museum dedicated to the cultural heritage of the Transmontana region. This facility examines the relationship between local residents and their agricultural surroundings, beginning with the era of prehistoric hunter-gatherers and transitioning into the realms of domestication and farming practices. Visitors can trace the evolution of traditional methods such as grain milling, olive pressing, and winemaking. Moreover, the museum showcases local crafts, particularly those linked to wool and linen, along with the trades and tools of blacksmiths, basket weavers, cobblers, tailors, and barbers. Historic tools representing each craft are on display alongside a recreation of a pre-industrial family’s living space, which includes a kitchen, fireplace, and sleeping area, complemented by traditional games, instruments, and folk art.
11. Entrudo Chocalheiro
Carnival season in February or March transforms Macedo de Cavaleiros and the neighboring Podence into vibrant celebrations. This festival is regarded as Portugal’s most authentic carnival, a sentiment supported by the lively antics of the Caretos. The festivities span four days, commencing on Saturday and continuing through Shrove Tuesday, featuring concerts, dances, and gastronomic events. However, the highlight remains the Caretos as they frolic through the streets, brandishing sticks, dancing to traditional bagpipe music, and humorously pursuing young women. The culmination of the celebrations occurs on Tuesday evening with the burning of a large effigy of a Careto atop a hill.
12. Cuisine
Another long-standing tradition in Macedo de Cavaleiros is the appreciation for game meat, particularly wild boar (javali), which is so cherished that a small gastronomic fair is held annually at the end of January. Approximately fifteen local restaurants participate in this event, offering dishes such as char-grilled ribs, loins, and boar meat casseroles with beans. The region’s winter months can be quite cold, prompting reliance on hearty proteins like baked kid goat and substantial cuts of seared beef steak. Turnip greens, notable for their nutritional value, also represent a regional specialty, celebrated in their own festival every February. Lastly, guests can enjoy a sweet treat, such as rosquilhas, a delightful type of donut adorned with charming knot patterns.
