Whether you crave the roar of the city or the quiet solitude that comes with a simpler getaway, you can find it all in Vila Pouca do Campo. Browse local boutiques for that perfect souvenir or reinvent your artistic aesthetic at your new favorite gallery.
At the entrance to the village lies a monumental gate that evokes a grand past. Immediately nearby is the Mother Church and the Chapel of Bones, an impressive monument that honors the victims of a tragedy in 1732.
1. Visit the Vila Pouca do Campo Museum
Located in Campo Grande, the Vila Pouca do Campo Museum is an important space that brings together paintings, jewellery, images of faith and even furniture. The collection is divided into numerous hubs and galleries.
Discover a beautiful landscape along this stage, which highlights the Rio Homem valley and the incredible extent of the reservoir. Marvel at the enchanting beauty of the park of Pedras Salgadas, as well as at its luxuriant nature and magnificent gastronomy. Then, explore the historic Castle of Ouguela.
2. Visit the Mother Church
Devotion to the Virgin Mary has marked the history of Portugal since its earliest days. It has shaped its own identity, leaving behind an impressive legacy from north to south.
Located in the heart of Campo Maior, the Mother Church was built in 1646 to receive the population of a village already too large for the Chapel of Saint Clare inside the Castle. It has a tripartite facade and contains masterpieces such as 16th century gold embroidered ornaments.
Embark on a new adventure and get to know this region on a different level. Whether it’s shopping for that perfect souvenir or reinventing your entire artistic aesthetic at your new favorite gallery, there are plenty of things to do in Vila Pouca do Campo Portugal.
3. Visit the Chapel of Bones
Whether you call it an ossuary, bone church or chapel of bones, these buildings lined with human bones and skulls are a fascinating sight. They were created to solve overcrowding in cemeteries without disrespecting the dead.
The largest bone chapel in Portugal, the Chapel of Bones was built in 17th century by three Franciscan monks. Its door reads “Nós ossos que aqui estamos, pelos vossos esperamos”, which translates to “We bones that are here, for yours await.”
More than five thousand carefully arranged bones and skulls decorate the chapel’s walls and columns. The ceiling is painted with various motifs associated with death.
4. Visit the Falperra Dam
If you like nature, you can not miss the Falperra Dam, also called Lagoa do Alvao. It contains a recreational park with lakes, waterfalls and luxuriant vegetation. It is also worth visiting the river beach (a small detour) and the viewpoint at the summit of Nossa Senhora da Ribeira.
From the vineyards and mountainous region in the north to the schist villages of the center, the N2 offers many different landscapes. You can enjoy a variety of gastronomy from the region, including acorda and delicious dishes with black pig.
5. Visit the Tresminas Mining Complex
The Tresminas Mining Complex is one of the biggest gold mining exploitation sites in Roman times, having been in operation from 27 BC to 211 AD. Featuring huge work areas, deep galleries and a complex network of hydraulic channels, it is a fascinating site.
It is also a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status along with the nearby Las Medulas mines. A visit is a must for anyone with a passion for history.
6. Visit the Alvao Natural Park
The Alvao Natural Park is one of the most diverse natural parks in Portugal. It incorporates a huge range of different ecosystems, including dramatic coastlines and cliffs. The park is also home to a wide variety of wildlife species, including birds and plants.
The park is a great place to enjoy the countryside of northern Portugal. It features mountain massifs, rivers, waterfalls, and forests. There are many hiking trails that can be explored. The park is also home to a number of heritage elements, including the Sanctuary staircase.
The park is also a great place to go canyoning. This is a fun outdoor activity that involves swimming, jumping, rappelling, and sliding down waterfalls.
7. Visit the City of Vila Real
Located above the confluence of the Rivers Corgo and Cabril, Vila Real (“Royal Town”) is an old city known for its stately houses with traditional wrought iron balconies and Manueline windows. The region’s best-known house is the Palacio do Mateus, a manor seen on the label of bottles of the same name, used as a holiday home by royal families in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Enjoy a tour of the palace and learn about its modern history while admiring its architecture and gardens. Afterwards, walk along the waterfront promenade and see the many boats that cruise the Guadiana and the ferries that cross to Ayamonte in Spain across the river.
