CHAVES TOURISM GUIDE
A 2-millennium-old Roman bridge in a pleasant old town
FIND CHAVES HOTELS »
Chaves was founded by the Romans as a spa town called Aquae Fluviae.
Their impressive 2-millennium-old bridge named after Emperor Trajan, with 16
arches and two milestones, remains over the Tâmega River, while their thermal springs (among the hottest in Europe), are still in use today,
with warm waters that treat rheumatism and hypertension.
The old town is made up of narrow streets filled with elegant houses, most
of which have carved wood balconies.
The main square is Praça de Camões, with a statue of the first Duke
of Bragança standing in the center.
Overlooking it are the Parish Church (with a fine Romanesque portal)
and the 17th century Baroque Misericordia Church (ornamented with
twisted columns and containing a gilded altarpiece, a painted ceiling, and
walls lined with huge white and blue tile panels depicting scenes from the
New Testament).
Also in the same square is the Regional Museum devoted to
archaeology, with prehistoric stones, Roman remains, and local crafts.
Behind it is the 14th century castle keep, the remains of an
ancient castle that houses a Military Museum with displays of ancient
weaponry and armour.
Five minutes from the old center is a casino hotel which in the end is the city's main attraction.
FIND CHAVES HOTELS »
Places Nearby
Vila
Real - A delightful baroque palace
Bragança
- An old castle; mysterious stones; one of Europe's wildest regions
|
|
|
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 |