Municipal Museum of Arouca

Museum of Sacred Art

Church of the Monastery of Santa Maria de Arouca

Millennium Park

Municipal Park

Praça Brandão de Vasconcelos

Chapel of Saint Anthony

Chapel of Mercy

Arouca Geopark Interactive Tourism Store

Arouca Municipal Library

Memorial Library of D. Domingos de Pinho Brandão

Arda Ecopath

Arouca City Council

Ribeiro de Gondim Park

Inaugurated in December 2018, the Ribeiro de Gondim Park is a public ecological corridor designed to promote the preservation, enhancement, sustainability, and appreciation of the Gondim stream and its surrounding natural environment. Here, visitors can observe species typical of riparian ecosystems, such as damselflies, salamanders, and birds commonly found in agricultural habitats, including doves, sparrows, and jays. Covering an area of 25,000 m², the park is well-suited for physical exercise.

Monastery of Santa Maria de Arouca

On the main avenue of the town, the Monastery of Santa Maria de Arouca rises sumptuously, in perfect harmony with Brandão de Vasconcelos Square across the street and the Chapel of Mercy in front. It is considered the largest granite construction of its kind in Portugal, and its walls have many stories to tell. Originally built in the 10th century, the monastery has undergone significant transformations. The structure we see today is the result of changes made throughout the 17th and 18th centuries. Its monastic activity was the driving force behind the economic, social, and culinary development of the region, which flourished around it. The Monastery of Santa Maria de Arouca is divided into two main sections: the North Wing, which includes the Church and the Choir, and the East and West Wings. The Church is open to visitors at any time of day. The other areas can also be visited, but only during specific opening hours. Exclusively a female monastery from the 12th century onward, it became home to D. Mafalda, a granddaughter of Portugal’s first king. She was responsible for its transition to the Cistercian Order. By the time of her death, the convent had become one of the most important in the Iberian Peninsula. In the 18th century, D. Mafalda’s tomb was opened, revealing that her body was incorrupt. This led to her beatification. When visiting the Church of the Monastery, you will have the opportunity to see the body of D. Mafalda as it was found, preserved in a glass tomb adorned with ebony and silver ornaments. You can also admire the beautiful altar and the high choir, richly decorated with gilded woodcarving, as well as the Baroque choir stalls. In the Joanino style, the monastery’s majestic pipe organ is well worth close attention. If the opportunity arises, enjoy the sound of this unique piece. Built by Manuel Benito Gomez in 1743, it is one of the most important surviving examples from the first half of the 18th century. It features 1,352 pipes powered by 24 registers. From the East and West Wings, you can enjoy a lovely view of the Cloisters. Made up of two levels, supported by Doric columns on the lower floor and Ionic ones on the upper, they once served as passageways, reading areas, and prayer spaces for the nuns. They are an excellent starting point for exploring these wings.

Finance

Social Security

Volunteer Firefighters in Arouca

Republican National Guard

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.

trucking center

Arouca Judicial Court

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