Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Fundão, Portugal

Where the Gardunha mountains slope down to the plains of Cova da Beira, Fundão is a charming rural town nestled within stunning natural landscapes. Visitors will enjoy a blend of exploring the town’s historic churches, 17th-century mansions, and the picturesque countryside adorned with cherry orchards, refreshing rivers, and hillside chestnut forests. The cherries of Fundão are a must-try, especially during the early summer season.

Prepare to be intrigued, as the surrounding municipality offers a plethora of attractions, ranging from quaint schist villages to medieval fortifications composed of sturdy granite stones.

Let us examine the top attractions in Fundão:

1. Museu Arqueológico José Monteiro

This museum was inaugurated in 2007 within the Solar Falcão d’Elvas, a 16th-century mansion.

The exhibits delve into the early history of the town and the broader Cova de Beira region, covering the era from Prehistory to the conclusion of the Roman period in the 5th century.

Numerous Roman artifacts, including glassware, metal vessels, and ceramics, vividly illustrate the existence of Fundão during that time.

Among the museum’s highlights are a Bronze Age statue-menhir, which resembles a traditional menhir but with human-like features, and an inscribed Roman altar dedicated to the goddess Trebaruna, a deity from the Iron Age embraced by the Romans.

2. A Moagem

As the focal point of a significant municipality, many individuals turn to Fundão for cultural experiences and entertainment.

A Moagem serves as a fitting cultural venue, hosting concerts, art exhibitions, theatrical performances, seminars, dance events, and regular film screenings.

The structure is a contemporary addition to an existing rye mill and bakery, cleverly incorporating preserved machinery from the rye processing into its three floors.

The venue’s restaurant is located beneath the chimney of the bakery, while the expansive art galleries are housed within the former granary.

3. Historic Centre of Fundão

Allocate an hour or two to meander through Fundão and discover its hidden gems.

The town center exudes charm, featuring chapels, opulent mansions, churches, verdant squares, and a collection of stone monuments such as fountains and the town pillory.

The local tourist office, located in the historic Casa dos Maias mansion dating from the 1700s with its grand portals, offers all the information needed for visitors.

The town hall, constructed in 1755 under the direction of the Marquis of Pombal, was originally intended to house Fundão’s Royal Wool Factory, a facility that ceased operations in the 1800s.

4. Village of Castelo Novo

Castelo Novo is one of the twelve Historic Villages of Portugal, nestled against the rugged eastern slopes of the Serra da Gardunha. Located less than 15 minutes from central Fundão, it is an excellent opportunity for an enriching visit.

This quaint granite village features a maze of narrow alleys filled with chapels, medieval and Renaissance-era homes adorned with coats of arms, impressive sculpted fountains, and notable monuments such as the pillory from the 16th century.

The village also contains a remnant of a Roman road and an arcaded town hall from the 13th century, built during the reign of King Denis I and later renovated in the 1500s under Manuel I.

5. Castelo Novo Castle

This village developed around its medieval castle, which has stood on this dramatic rocky outcrop since the 13th century.

Though the castle remains partially in ruins, much remains to appreciate, including a former keep that received an elegant Manueline enhancement in the 16th century to serve as the village’s clock tower, complete with a dome and pinnacles.

Raised walkways navigate through granite boulders and ruins, while the castle’s archaeological center exhibits coins, pottery, and weapons unearthed during excavations in the 2000s.

6. Igreja da Misericórdia do Fundão

The primary church of Fundão dates back to the 17th century and was established by the Brotherhood of Mercy (irmandade da Misericórdia).

Construction of the church was completed by 1631, and after sustaining damage from the 1755 earthquake, it was rebuilt over the subsequent century and a half.

While the architectural style is relatively unremarkable, the interior features notable decorations, including a painted clay depiction of St. John the Baptist as a child, a silver reliquary, and an intricately carved high altar.

7. Serra da Gardunha

Nature enthusiasts seeking pristine landscapes will find the Serra da Gardunha, a range of peaks located to the north and east of Fundão, to be an ideal destination.

However, this environment has been cultivated by human activity for centuries.

In the 1300s, King Denis I replaced the area’s vineyards with chestnut tree groves. Despite setbacks from disease and forest fires, significant portions of this forest remain intact.

Today, cherry groves are predominant among extensive pine and eucalyptus woodlands.

Vistas from the range’s scenic outlooks reveal breathtaking views over the plains of Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, the Marateca Dam, and even the distant Serra da Estrela range to the northwest.

8. Aldeia da Barroca

To the west of Fundão, hidden within the Açor and Lousã mountain ranges, lies a network of 27 villages unified by the schist stone utilized in their construction.

This rustic material imparts an enchanting atmosphere, while the village’s mountainous setting is perfect for hiking, biking, or leisurely days at riverside beaches.

Barroca, located not far from Fundão, features an exhibition dedicated to the “Schist Villages” initiative.

This exhibition takes place in an 18th-century manor house along the River Zêzere from the village.

Along the route, visitors will encounter water mills and the Poço do Caldeirão, where a footbridge spans rocks adorned with engravings of horses and goats dating back up to 22,000 years.

9. Janeiro de Cima

The other notable “Schist Village” within the borders of Fundão lies amid olive groves sheltered by evergreen hills.

One delightful aspect of these charming schist villages is the persistence of traditional crafts.

In Janeiro de Cima, visitors can explore the Casa das Tecedeiras (Weavers’ House), where handcrafted linen shawls, scarves, bags, and rugs are produced using old manual looms.

After thoroughly enjoying the charm of the village, consider venturing into the surrounding pine-covered peaks for a scenic picnic or a serene barge trip on the Zêzere River.

10. Parque Fluvial da Lavandeira

This park, situated on the Zêzere River in Janeiro de Cima, once served as a crossing point for villagers utilizing a wooden ferry, where they would shout “O da Barca” from the riverbanks.

Currently, it is a tranquil place to relax on grassy banks shaded by trees, offering an excellent view of the opposite shale valley wall.

The dyke creates a large pool of clear, slow-moving water for swimming, along with amenities such as showers, picnic areas, barbecue spots, and a café that operates during the summer.

Additionally, visitors can admire the restored waterwheel, reminding us of the village’s riverside heritage.

11. Palácio do Picadeiro

The nearby village of Alpedrinha is also worth noting on your travels.

This settlement, with its ancient roots, features narrow alleys that meander up the hillside amid granite walls, churches, and 17th-century residences.

The Romans inhabited this area over 2,000 years ago, constructing a tunnel, though its purpose remains unclear.

At the summit, visitors can find the 18th-century Palácio do Picadeiro, accessible by traversing a paved Roman street.

This Baroque mansion features an engaging exhibition focused on Cova da Beira, along with exquisite inlaid wooden furnishings and a stunning view from its balcony.

12. Capela do Espirito Santo

This chapel is among the oldest monuments in Fundão, having been constructed in the 16th century.

The building is recognizable by its distinctive portico supported by six columns with intricately carved bases.

Noteworthy features include the archway of the portal dating back to 1578 and the holy water font, which retains traces of an ancient fresco dated to 1574. Visitors should also take note of the floor mosaic adorned with plant motifs, the chancel’s archway from 1630, and the beams in the ceiling.

13. Parque do Convento

Families can immerse themselves in Fundão’s natural offerings at this expansive recreational area located within eucalyptus forests on the town’s outskirts.

Children can particularly enjoy the treetop adventure course, where they will wear harnesses and helmets as they navigate ladders, rope bridges, and zip-lines.

For those with enough energy, an artificial climbing wall is also available.

The park features a mountain biking (BTT) center for cycling enthusiasts or offers the perfect setting for a leisurely picnic surrounded by the park’s greenery.

14. Barragem da Marateca

Traveling down the A23, you will soon arrive at the expansive reservoir formed by the Marateca Dam.

The surrounding agricultural lands, distant mountains, and reflective waters create a breathtaking scene that often includes herds of sheep and goats.

Since the dam’s construction in the 1980s and 1990s, this area has evolved into a haven for various bird species.

For those interested, the Fundão tourist board organizes regular bird-watching events at the reservoir, making it a remarkable location for observing waterfowl like snowy egrets, great cormorants, great crested grebes, herons, and green sandpipers throughout the year.

15. Local Delicacies

Visitors cannot overlook the abundant cherry orchards that characterize Fundão’s landscape, particularly at the tail end of winter when the blossoms blanket the hills in a pristine white.

Cherries come into season in June, presenting an exquisite taste: they may be purchased in boxes for immediate enjoyment or used in a variety of cherry-infused culinary delights.

The town’s cherry pastries, a modern yet highly sought-after creation, are complemented by exciting dishes such as flaming cherry prawns, cod with cherry crust, duck served with sautéed cherries, and rice pudding prepared with cherries!