Points of Interest

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Calvary

Numa visita pela zona norte da Vila de Arouca, surgem-nos, aparentemente desordenados, seis cruzeiros seiscentistas. Trata-se do Calvário, situado no lugar de Pernousela, a poucos minutos a pé do centro histórico. Estes fazem parte de uma Via Sacra que, juntamente com outros três cruzeiros dispersos, retratam as cenas da vida de Jesus. O Calvário, de estilo maneirista, está classificado como Imóvel de Interesse Público e é de visita obrigatória. A população local tem uma grande devoção por este sítio, pois é associado à religiosidade, é sinónimo de sacrifício e de oração. A sua localização, num topo rochoso, é convidativa a um momento de reflexão. Símbolo da dureza da Quaresma, este maciço granítico oferece uma visita ampla sobre a vila de Arouca. Junto ao Calvário, poderá visitar o Jardim da Oliveiras. Aqui, terá acesso a uma paisagem privilegiada sobre o vale, envolto nas serras da Mó e da Freita. Aprecie, demoradamente, a vista sobre o Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Arouca, que se destaca em primeiro plano, e a vila que se desenvolve em seu redor. traduz para ingles

House of Malafaias

On the way to Calvary, along one of the most picturesque streets of Arouca, we find the Casa dos Malafaias, also known as the Casa Grande. It is one of the town’s most emblematic buildings. It stands out for its grandeur, as in the past it belonged to the Nobility, and its walls have withstood generations up to the present day. We can observe a set of buildings, dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries, built mainly in granite and composed of three distinct sections. On the far right, you can see a chapel, which is connected to two residential wings and an extensive garden. On the main façade, take time to notice a door and a window with Manueline-style frames. You should also pay close attention to the imposing Coat of Arms, which is linked to the history of the family that once owned this house. This refers to the Malafaia family, which included some commanders and captains-major of Arouca. The coat of arms displayed here bears the insignia of the Malafaia, Mascarenhas, and Castro Pereira families, placed there by a descendant. On one of the side walls of this building, we can see a mark representing the high-water level of the Marialva stream. It may be hard to imagine, but in the past this stream ran uncovered, and flooding was frequent, which eventually led to its channelling in the latter part of the first half of the 20th century. Today, it can be seen in the western part of the town, next to the Ribeira de Gondim Park.

Praça Brandão de Vasconcelos

Praça Brandão de Vasconcelos is located in the heart of Vila de Arouca, where, on Sundays, people would meet, passing through or in the shade of the lime trees, around the fountain, once in the center of the space. This square has been subject to intervention more than once, with the last intervention being carried out in 2012, as part of urban regeneration, when the foundations of the old parish church of São Bartolomeu, the common cemetery and a sheltered space for pilgrims and market vendors could be identified. The current layout of the square is in the shape of an amphitheater and the fountain is at one end.

Arouca Judicial Court