Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Like many northern towns, Trancoso acquired a sizeable Jewish community following
the expulsion of Jews from Spain at the end of the 15th century. As elsewhere along the
border, you can generally spot Jewish houses by looking for a pair of doors: a smaller one
for the private household and a larger one for a shop or warehouse. The old
judiaria
(Jewish
quarter) covered roughly the southeast third of the walled town. Among dignified remind-
ers of that time is a former rabbinical residence called the
Casa do Gato Preto
, decorated with
the gates of Jerusalem and other Jewish images.
About 150m northward is Trancoso's prettiest church, the 13th-century
Capela de Santa
Luzia
, with heavy Romanesque door arches and unadorned dry-stone construction. Tran-
coso abounds with other churches heavy with baroque make-up, most prominently the
Igreja de São Pedro
, behind the
pelourinho
on Largo Padre Francisco Ferreira.
Castelo
( 9.30am-12.30pm & 2-6pm Apr-Sep, 9.30am-12.30pm, 2-5.30pm Tue-Fri, to 5pm Sat, to 4.30pm Sun Oct-Mar)
On a hill in the northeast corner of town is the tranquil castle, with its crenellated
towers and the distinctively slanted walls of the squat, Moorish
Torre de Menagem
, which
you can climb for views. The friendly office here is a good source of local information in
English.
CASTLE
Visigothic Tombs
Across the road from the Portas do Prado, beside the courthouse, is an untended
rock outcrop carved with eerie, body-shaped cavities, thought to be Visigothic tombs dat-
ing to the 7th or 8th century.
TOMBS
Festivals & Events
Feira Medieval de Trancoso
In late June Trancoso heads back to its past with lots of dressing up, a medieval market in
the castle area, jousting and more. It's lots of fun.
MEDIEVAL
