Moimenta da Beira

Moimenta da Beira is located between the Douro valley and the highlands of Beira Alta, on the left bank of the Douro river, about 50 km from the district capital – Viseu. According to the vestiges, the occupation of these lands dates back to the 3rd millennium BC – as evidenced by the castle settlement and the walled town – “O Muro” (in Pera Velha), which dates back to at least the 1st millennium BC.
There are also traces of more recent occupations, from Roman times to the Middle Ages. The Romans with their occupation, began another era and built roads, bridges, funerary stelae, among other important constructions that are still very visible today and some in a good state of conservation. The parish of Rua is one of the places where this “romanisation” is most present in the municipality.
Land of good wines and also known for the production of apples, especially the “bravo esmolfe” variety, which is even recommended by nutritionists.
It was in Moimenta da Beira, in the parish of Soutosa, that the writer Aquilino Ribeiro lived at various times in his life and was certainly inspired by these “airs” to leave us a very rich literary work.
The gastronomy is dominated by “heavy” dishes, because of the hard work in these lands. The quality of the dishes prepared has to do not only with the products, but also with the handcrafted techniques. For example, the preparation of sausages, bread or cheese. Dishes such as roast kid or stuffed trout are highly appreciated. Of course they must be accompanied by a Terras do Demo wine. To finish the meal, a sweet rice or a baked apple will delight everyone who passes by.
To visit:
- Convent of N.ª Sr.ª da Purificação
- Chapel of Martyr S. Sebastião
- Chapel of N.ª Sr.ª das Mercês
- Chapel of N.ª Sr.ª do Amparo
- Guedes Manor House
- Casa da Moimenta
- Casa dos Carvalhais
- Fonte da Pipa (Pipa Fountain)
and yet:
- Aldeia de Nacomba: Roman Pavement; Parish Church; Chapel of N.ª Sr.ª das Portas Abertas; Santa Bárbara Chapel and Hill
- Alvite: Museum House; Typical House – XVIII Century; Menir Statue; Community Oven .
- Arcozelos: Ethnographic Museum; Chapel of Martyr S. Sebastião; House with Manueline windows; House of Coutinhos de Lencastre
- Ariz: Castle Village; Mother Church; Roman Bridge; Water Mills; Anthropomorphic Graves; Community Oven
- Baldos: Mother Church; Olive Oil Presses
- Cabaços: S. Torcato Sanctuary; Mother Church
- Caria: Mother Church; N.ª Sr.ª da Guia Chapel; N.º Sr. dos Aflitos Chapel
- Castelo: Fauna and flora park of the Castle; House of Salzedas; Sanctuary of N.ª Sr.ª Conceição
- Leomil: Parish Church; Mergulhões House; Viscondes de Balsemão Manor House
- Nagosa: Mother Church; Nagosa Thermal Spa; House of the Mergulhões
- Paradinha: Morais Sarmento House; Parish Church
- Passô: Parish Church; Sanfins Fortress; Pillory
- Pêra Velha: S. Miguel Mother Church; Megalithic Necropolis; Menir Statue; Peravelha Fortress; Fonte Santa Rock
- Peva: Aquilino Ribeiro Foundation; Parish Church; Santo Antão Sanctuary
- Rua: Main Church; Prados Manor House; S. Domingos Chapel; Quinta do Ribeiro; Vila da Rua Historical Centre; Divino Espírito Santo Chapel
- Sarzedo: S. Domingos Manor House; Parish Church
- Segões: Main Church; Rural Ecomuseum (water mills, granaries and threshing floors); River Beach (Paiva River)
- Sever: Pillory; Parish Church; Chapel N.ª Sr.ª das Seixas
- Vilar: Vilar Dam reservoir; Parish Church; Vilar Dam Camping Park
Festivities and Pilgrimages:
- Martyr S. Sebastião, 20 January
- São João, on 24 June
- S. Pedro, 29 June