Visit the Archaeological Site of Torre Velha / Terras de São Sebastião - Castro de Avelãs

The archaeological site of the Torre Velha / Terras de São Sebastião, located in the parish of Castro de Avelãs, is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding for the exceptional character of the findings here, being also one of the most cited in the archaeological bibliography related to the entire region transmontana
Indeed, some of the traces here identified, especially of an epigraphic nature, such as those revealed by the excavations carried out, at the end of the century. XIX.
New excavations are underway at the site.

Visit the Ruins of the Monastery of Castro de Avelãs

The ruins of the Benedictine monastery of Castro de Avelãs qualify as a national monument and unique example of the Roman-Mozarabic architectural style in Portugal, in which stands out the massive brick inherited from the neighboring Spanish region of Castile and Leon.

Visit the Ponte de Castro de Avelãs

The Castro de Avelãs Bridge was built in the Middle Ages and rebuilt in the Modern Age. It consists of a trestle tray resting on three uneven arches.

Visit the Church of São Lourenço - Castro de Avelãs

The church of São Lourenço, located in the village of Fontes Barrosas, Freguesia de Castro de Avelãs presents religious architecture, seiscentista and barroca.Tem longitudinal plant composed of nave and main chapel, with main facade finished in gable truncated by double bells and torn by portal of straight dart, surmounted by frieze and cornice, and oculus. In the interior it has the nave with wooden ceiling forming painted caissons, pulpit on the side of the Gospel and two collateral altarpieces, of polychrome and gilded, baroque carvings.

Visit the Church of São Bento - Castro de Avelãs

The Church of São Bento, located in the Parish of Castro de Avelãs is one of the most symbolic monuments of the Transmontano Northeast, simultaneously illustrating the Romanesque art and the monastic life of the region.
From the primitive Romanesque project, the head remains, tripartite and staggered both in height and in size. Of semi-circular plan of two sections, the chancel and the apsolos are a unique work in our Romanesque art. Contrary to what was common in medieval Portugal, the material used was brick, a material much less expensive than stone. The outer walls are decorated with large blind arches, with double arch in the center, which rhythms horizontally all the elevations. The decoration used is strictly geometric, with protruding frames and friezes on sawtooth teeth.
At the time of its construction, the church had great monumentality, since it foresaw a plan of three ships (of which there is still the beginning of a lateral ship) and a harmonic facade with two towers flanking a central body.
Inside, in the right apse, there is the tomb of D. Nuno Martins de Chacim, executed around 1262 and decorated only with heraldic motifs and an unfinished epitaph.
This Church is classified as a National Monument.