Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Castelo
( 9.30am-1pm & 2-5.30pm, to 6pm Jun-Aug)
Originally Castelo de Vide's inhabitants
lived within the castle's sturdy outer walls; even now there remains a small inner village
You can take in some brilliant views from here over the town's red roofs, surrounded by
green and olive hills.
The castle, built by Dom Dinis and his brother Dom Afonso between 1280 and 1365, is
topped by a 12m-high brick tower, thought to be the oldest part. Feel like royalty and
catch the great views from the roof of the tower's fine vaulted hall (the hall itself is unfor-
tunately covered in graffiti).
CASTLE
Fonte da Vila
In a pretty square just below and east of the
judiaria
is the worn-smooth 16th-century
marble Fonte da Vila, with a washing area. This, along with several other fountains in the
village, spouts the delicious mineral water for which Castelo de Vide is known.
FOUNTAIN
Anta dos Coureleiros &
Menhir da Meada
In the wild, boulder-strewn landscape around Castelo de Vide are dozens of ancient mega-
liths. The two most impressive are the Anta da Melriça, northwest of town, and the 7m-
high Menhir da Meada, around 13km north of town. This is supposedly the tallest menhir
in the Iberian Peninsula - a large phallus for keeping the fields fertile and acting as a ter-
ritory marker (one of the few believed to have done both jobs). The so called Parque
Megalítico dos Coureleiros is a collection of five different arrangements.
These megaliths are best accessible by car. Ask for a map from the tourist office.
MEGALITHS
Activities
Keen walkers should ask at the tourist office for walking trail maps such as those headed
Torrinha and Serra de S Paulo. These wonderful three- to four-hour sojourns around the
area pass old churches, fountains and megaliths and dolmens.
Festivals & Events
Carnaval
CARNIVAL
