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Monuments
> Via A32
SANTA MARIA DA FEIRA
CASTLE
On your way along the A32, why not stop in Santa Maria da Feira to visit the city's castle.
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An emblematic work of medieval Portuguese military architecture, the Castle of Santa Maria da Feira is one of the monuments that best reflects the diversity of the means of defence used during the Middle Ages, having been instrumental throughout the process of Reconquista and autonomy of th County of Portucalense.
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It has been a Roman occupation fort, a wall against the Norman invasions, a military fort at the time of the Christian movement fighting for the territories conquered by the Muslims, the headquarters of a military region, a political center that would lead to the country's independence. It played a decisive role in supporting the independence cause of King Afonso Henriques and had a strong hand in the military actions that culminated in the taking of Coimbra.
The monument is currently used as a Cultural Centre in the city of Santa Maria da Feira.
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Further information here.
MOTHER CHURCH OF OLIVEIRA DE AZEMEIS
At one end of the A32 motorway you find Oliveira de Azeméis where you can visit the Mother Church. Originally constructed Built in 1719, this church was rebuilt in the mid-nineteenth century. The facade features a portal flanked by two bell towers and a sculpture of Saint Michael fighting the devil.
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Access to the church is via a staircase comprising several flights with intermediate landings. It is worth noting the Baroque gilded altarpieces and in particular the main altarpiece, "joanino" dating from 1731. Originally, the church was located at the site of Passal. The current church stands in the northern part of the old core, on a small rise.
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Further information here.
CONVENT OF
CORPUS CHRISTI
Take the A32 to Vila Nova de Gaia and visit the Convent of Corpus Christi, also known as the Monastery of São Domingos das Donas. The Monastery is next to the Gaia Pier and was built in 1345 at the behest of a noblewoman of the city, Dona Maria Mendes Petite.
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Due to continuous flooding, it was eventually rebuilt in 1834 with the church and convent structure that remain today but the nuns are long-departed. The site currently belongs to the City Council of Gaia. In the Convent lies the ark tomb of Álvaro de Cernache, standar bearer of the Ala dos Namorados (the left flank of the Portuguese army) at the Battle of Aljubarrota.
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Further information here.
> Via A41
CONVENT OF
SAO GONCALO
The A41 motorway also allows you to visit the Convent of São Gonçalo, in Amarante. Construction of the church began in 1543, in the centre of the city of Amarante, in the same location where a chapel in honor of the municipality's patron saint, São Gonçalo, had already been built.
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The richness and diversity of the convent are evident in its Renaissance, Mannerist, Baroque, and 19th century features. The Convent of São Gonçalo has been a national monument since 1910.
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Further information here.
MAGALHÃES
MANOR HOUSE
Travel to Amarante with the A41 and take the opportunity to visit one of the most symbolic monuments of the city.
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The Solar dos Magalhães was built in the second half of the 16th century, in the centre of the urban area of Amarante. In the 1800's the Manor House became a symbol of resistance of the Amarante people against the Napoleonic invasion.
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Contrary to most of the buildings that were burned down, the Solar dos Magalhães was never rebuilt, its ruins remaining as a testimony to the violence of the conflict.
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Further information here.
GRANJA PALACE
During your trip on the A41, if you have time to stop in Paredes, you can visit Granja Palace, which is designated "House of Culture" in Paredes.
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The palace was built in the last quarter of the 19th century. Joaquim Bernardo Mendes, a Portuguese national who returned from Brazil and received the title of Viscount of Paredes, ordered the construction of the Palace which in 1895 hosted King Carlos I of Portugal.
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Granja Palace is surrounded by a huge garden, with some Brazilian characteristics, including facades covered with yellow tiles and large, grand doors and windows.
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Further information here.
> Via A43
BANDEIRINHA
MANOR HOUSE
Use the A43 to travel to Gondomar, where you will find one of the city's most important buildings: Bandeirinha Manor House. A 16th century farmhouse formerly named "Quinta de Marrocos".
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Its first owner was Jorge Vieira Cabral and the 17th century Baroque style carved ceilings, built by the 3rd "morgado" (first-borned heir) of the farm, Manuel da Cunha Coutinho de Portocarrero, are of particular note. The property was acquired by the City of Gondomar in 1992, and later restored under the guidance of architect Carlos Fonseca.
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Further information here.
FOZ DO SOUSA BRIDGE
This bridge was designed by Engineer Edgar Cardoso and its construction began in 1949. It used a pioneering work in the field of concrete construction technology and served as a trial for the construction of the Arrábida Bridge in Porto.
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Further information here.
