Ermelo

PLACES TO VISIT

The Cistercian Route of Alto Minho-Galicia begins in Santa Maria de Ermelo Monastery, near the Lima River, it continues through Soajo, Gavieira and S. Bento do Cando, a hermitage founded by Ermelo's white monks. The route crosses the Branda da Aveleira and Bouça dos Homens, continuing through Lamas de Mouro, down to Alcobaça and Adadela, and up to Santa Maria de Fiães Monastery in Melgaço. The route proceeds through the lands of Melgaço, following the borderland area of S. Gregório, and already in the Galician lands, it goes through Cortegada to cross the Minho River, and reach Ribadávia. After a few kilometres, we reach the land of Leiro, where Santa Maria de S. Clódio Monastery is located, a monastery surrounded by the Ávia River, and the aligned vineyards strains, producers of the Ribeiro wine. Continuing down the Cistercian route we cross the Carballino, reaching village of Cea. After a dense oak grove and the listening of the murmur of the Oseira River, the Santa Maria de Oseira monastic complex, which is considered the Galician Escorial, arises. This is where a community of 12 monks live by the motto "ora et labora", witnessing the lives of those who face the transcendent, "in a timeless time".

José Rodrigues Lima

Coordenadas: N 41º 21’ 13.6” | O 8º 44’ 42.6”

PLACES TO VISIT

This picturesque village with more than nine centuries of history, located by the river, has a requalified historic centre full of charms, memories, and some of the most beautiful churches of the Alto Minho region, such as the Mother Church or the Lapa, the Holy Spirit, St. Benedict, the Mercy church, S. Paio, as well as buildings of civil and judicial architecture, which provide the visitors with unique and unrepeatable experiences.

PLACES TO VISIT

This Sanctuary, located in the parish of Gavieira, was built between the eighteenth and the nineteenth century. Currently, this place of worship has a church, which was completed in 1875, one stairway of virtues, with representations of Faith, Hope, Charity, and Glory, all dating from 1854, with sculptures of the master Francisco Luís Barreiros, a tree-lined staircase with 20 chapels, with scenes depicting the life of Christ, ranging from the Nativity to the Passion, as well as several support buildings, such as the Peneda Hotel. The Feast in honour of Our Lady of Peneda is one of the oldest pilgrimages of Minho and takes place on the first week of September. Every year, thousands of people gather in order to fulfil their promises and participate in the festivities. Serra da Peneda enjoys a granite landscape of rare beauty, filled with mountains, streams, and where we can find several species that compose the local biodiversity, such as oaks, pines, holly, arbutus, heathers, genistae, birds of prey, among which the royal eagle, the common buzzard, the owl, the falcon, the hawk, the partridge, the Eurasian woodcock, the wolf, the fox, the wild cat, the roe deer, the wild boar, the rabbit, the hare and many others...

PLACES TO VISIT

To enjoy this village in full it is essential to walk on its narrow streets, marvel at the uniqueness of its cultural and architectural heritage, visit the Mother Church, the Town Hall, the House of Enes, the pillory, and the community threshing floor that consists of 24 granaries, major symbol of economic and social experiences.

PLACES TO VISIT

A well preserved tourist village that promises to delight you with its unique and singular heritage. Walking through the streets of this rural nucleus, within the Peneda-Gerês National Park, take note of its valuable built heritage, which includes the pillory, the community granaries and threshing floors, the cruise of the Castle, the medieval bridge and the water mills of Parada, the medieval sidewalks, the hillfort of Cidadelhe, and the parish churches. Be sure you also visit the castle, rebuilt in 1278, and holder of a superb view over the Lindoso reservoir.

PLACES TO VISIT

Porta do Mezio has a Reception and Information centre, a museum centre, a rural museum, a Biodiversity park, an agro-pastoral complex in Serra da Peneda and Soajo, an observation tower, a picnic park, and a pool. There, you will be able to walk through the trails, including hiking and mountain biking, and relive experiences and traditions associated with the experiences of the past.

PLACES TO VISIT

Located halfway up the slope of the right bank of Lima River, at the entrance of Peneda-Gerês National Park, this site of rare beauty appears, which enchants all of our senses. At the center of a tiny cluster of houses, located right next to each other, the Church and the ruins of the old Monastery of Sta. Maria do Ermelo, built in the 12th century, stand out. The latter owns a set of high quality – artistic-wise – frescos, in which the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Mary, the Archangel Gabriel, Saint James and Saint Benedict are depicted, and where the churchyard has a privileged viewpoint over the Lima River. But, in Ermelo, you will surely have to visit the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies, located in the hamlet of Vilarinho do Souto, the traditional granaries and you’ll have to taste the juicy orange of Ermelo, which, according to the legend, was introduced by the Cistercian monks.