Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
This fine hub of seven narrow laneways is at the heart of the old town's zone of mansions
Renaissance fountain that was built in 1554. The fountain is topped with Manueline mo-
tifs of an armillary sphere and the cross of the Order of Christ. The fortresslike
Antigos Paços
sometimes hosts contemporary art exhibitions.
Igreja Matriz
CHURCH
(Rua Santos Cabral; 9am-6pm)
This elegant parish church - also known as the
sé
- dates from
the 15th century, although it has been through several reincarnations since then. Check out
its unusually sculpted Romanesque towers and Gothic doorway, carved with figures of
Christ and the Evangelists.
Museu de Arte e Arqueologia
MUSEUM
(
www.cm-viana-castelo.pt
;
Rua Manuel Espregueira; admission €2; 10am-1pm & 3-7pm Jun-Sep, to 6pm Oct-
May)
The 18th-century Palacete Barbosa Maciel bears witness to Viana's affluent past. It
houses an impressive collection of 17th- and 18th-century ceramics (especially blue Por-
tuguese china) and furniture. Most impressive are three 2nd-floor rooms lined with
azule-
jos,
depicting scenes of hunting and palace life.
Museu do Traje
MUSEUM
(Costume Museum; Rua da Picota; admission €2; 10am-1pm & 2-6pm)
This attractive museum houses
the traditional wear used for farming, fishing and seaweed harvesting in centuries past.
You'll see costumes worn during the Romaria de Nossa Senhora d'Agonia and cool an-
tique looms. The then-and-now mural -sized photos on the 2nd floor are pretty special,
too.
Castelo de São Tiago da Barra
(Campo de Castelo; 9am-6pm)
You can still scoot around the ramparts of this squat castle, a
short walk west of the centre, which began in the 15th century as a smallish fort. It was in-
tegrated into a larger fort, commissioned by Felipe II of Spain (Felipe I of Portugal) in
1592, to guard the prosperous port against pirates.
CASTLE
