Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
centre of the tug-of-war between the Liberals and Royalists; in 1833 the Liberals used a
secret entrance to seize the town - the only time Marvão has ever been captured.
Sights & Activities
You can make a brilliant 30km round-trip via Santo António das Areias and Beirã, visiting
nearby
antas
(dolmens). Follow the '
antas
' signs through a fabulously quiet landscape of
cork trees and rummaging pigs. Some megaliths are right by the roadside, while others re-
quire a 300m-to-500m walk. Be sure to bring refreshments: there's no village en route.
You can continue north of Beirã to visit the megaliths in the Castelo de Vide area.
Castelo
( 24hr)
The formidable castle, built into the rock at the western end of the village,
dates from the end of the 13th century, but most of what you see today was built in the
17th century. The views from the battlements are staggering. There's a huge vaulted
cistern (still full of water) near the entrance and it's landscaped with hedges and flower-
beds. You can walk around the town on the castle walls. At the time of research there was
talk of charging an entrance fee and providing maps with important highlights.
CASTLE
Museu Municipal
(adult €1.30; 9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm Tue-Sun)
Just southeast of the castle, the Igreja de Santa
Maria provides graceful surroundings for the small museum. At the time of research, the
museum was reorganising its (previously) scattergun displays of muskets and bayonets,
medieval grave markers, carved stonework dating from the 3rd millennium BC, costumes
and Roman pottery shards.
MUSEUM
Casa da Cultura
(Largo do Pelourinho; 9.30am-1pm & 2-5.30pm)
In a restored building, this cultural centre
hosts changing exhibitions, and you can check out the rustic upstairs courtroom, dating
from 1809. There's also a small handicrafts shop on site (in what was a former prison).
CULTURAL CENTRE
Cidade de Ammaia
(admission €2; 9am-1pm & 2-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-1pm & 2-5pm Sat & Sun)
This excellent little Roman
museum lies between Castelo de Vide and Marvão in São Salvador de Aramenha. From
São Salvador head 700m south along the Portalegre road, then turn left, following the
signs to Ammaia.
MUSEUM
