BELMONTE TOURISM GUIDE
Portugal's "Jewish town" and a distinctive historic-design pousada
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The interesting little town of Belmonte is dominated by a 13th century
castle
that was transformed into a fortified manor house in the 15th century by the family of Pedro Alvares Cabral, the discoverer of South America.
Pedro was born inside, and the family's coat of arms is part of a Manueline
window on one of the side walls. The interior has been remodeled and includes an amphitheater for shows and
concerts.
A treasured statue of the Virgin that accompanied Cabral on his voyages
is in the town's parish church, while his tomb and those of his
family members are in the Romanesque Santiago Church. His statue stands in the center of the town, on a street with his name.
Adjacent to the castle is a warren of ancient alleys that make up the old
Jewish quarter. Still the residence of dozens of Jewish families
today, this is the largest Jewish community in Portugal. There is also a
modern synagogue and a small Jewish Museum that tells the
story of this centuries-old community.
Northeast of town is a strange Roman tower known as Centum
Cellas, a mysterious square, three-storied structure. Archeologists are
unable to explain what its function may have been, with some believing it was a watch tower, others a mansion or even a
temple.
About one kilometer (just over half a mile) from the center of the town is a
former convent that has been renovated into a pousada. It preserves its historical architecture, mixing it with stylish modern design,
and the rooms instead of numbers have the names of the friars who once lived
in the building.
The views to the slopes of Serra da Esperança alone would be worth a
stay.
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Places Nearby
Serra
da Estrela - Skiing down the mountain; ghost towns; historical
museum-villages
Monsanto
- Enchanting mountain village squeezed between gigantic boulders
Guarda
- One of the highest cities in Europe; off the beaten path Portugal
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AROUND LISBON
AND TAGUS VALLEY Alcobaça Arrábida Azeitão Batalha Cascais Ericeira Estoril Fatima Leiria Mafra Nazaré Obidos Palmela Peniche Queluz Santarém Sesimbra Setubal Sintra Tomar |
ALENTEJO
Beja Castelo de Vide Elvas Estremoz Evora Marvão Mértola Monsaraz Vila Viçosa ALGARVE Albufeira Faro Lagos Sagres Silves Tavira Vila Real de Santo António Vilamoura |
BEIRAS (CENTRAL PORTUGAL)
Aveiro Belmonte Buçaco Coimbra Conimbriga Figueira da Foz Guarda Monsanto Piodão Serra da Estrela Viseu PORTO AND DOURO Amarante Lamego Porto |
MINHO
Barcelos Braga Gerês National Park Guimarães Ponte de Lima Ponte da Barca Viana do Castelo TRAS-OS-MONTES Bragança Chaves Vila Real THE ISLANDS Azores Madeira |