Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The lovely Torre de Menagem (castle keep) stands alone on a grassy embankment behind
the town's main square, the only major remnant of a 14th-century castle built by Dom
Dinis. Around the tower are attractive manicured flowerbeds and a stretch of old defens-
ive walls, with views over the town and countryside.
The
torre
now houses a motley collection of military gear in the
Museu Militar
OFFLINE MAP
GOOGLE MAP
(admission incl Museu da Região Flaviense €1;
9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm, closed
holidays)
, accessed via a series of creaky stairs.
Ponte Romana
Chaves' handsome, 140m-long, Roman-era bridge makes a lovely place for a car-free
stroll. The span was completed in AD 104 by order of Emperor Trajan (hence its other
name, Ponte Trajano). It likely served as a key link on the important road between Braga
and Astorga (Spain), as two engraved Roman milestones on the centre of the bridge indic-
ate.
BRIDGE
Museu da Região Flaviense
MUSEUM
(Praça de Luís Camões; admission incl Museu Militar €1; 9am-12.30pm & 2-5.30pm)
Small but interesting,
this regional archaeological-ethnographic museum has lots of Roman artefacts, plus a col-
lection of pre-Roman jewellery, bronze tools, grinding stones and menhirs, some dating
back over 2500 years. There are also temporary art displays upstairs .
Termas de Chaves
( 276 332 445;
www.termasdechaves.com
;
Largo das Caldas)
The warm waters of the Termas de
Chaves, which emerge from the ground at 73°C, are said to relieve everything from
rheumatism to obesity. After shelling out the initial €35 medical consultation fee, you
have access to a plethora of reasonably priced treatments (€5 to €23), ranging from steam
baths to massage. In the rotunda just outside the baths, spa employees distribute free
glasses of the warm, bicarbonate-heavy waters, though they taste pretty awful.
SPA
Sleeping
Budget accommodation is clustered along Rua do Sol in the historic centre. For a bit more
character and charm, consider the slew of attractive rural inns in the hills surrounding
