BIRTHPLACE OF PEDRO ÁLVARES CABRAL

Crowned by the Medieval Castle, Belmonte stands out for its heritage, historical and cultural identity, for the mysticism of some of its most iconic monuments and also for the natural landscape that is offered from the seat of the municipality, which constitutes a privileged observation point. This place is also marked by the presence of a relevant Jewish community, expressed in the existence of some patrimonial elements that identify this community.

Bearing in mind the remarkable concentration of touristic points of interest in Belmonte's urban centre, we invite the traveller to dedicate "all the time in the world" to walk through and discover the monumental and artistic cultural heritage of this place, which bears witness to a legacy of different moments in history.

Belmonte is also the birthplace of Pedro Álvares Cabral and an example for the way it exalts the image of the Portuguese navigator responsible for the discovery of the sea route to Brazil, which the Belmonte Museum of Discoveries so well represents. The Traveller cannot miss "diving" into this adventure - imagine yourself on a Portuguese ship, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, with the mission of finding land in the immensity of the unknown.

Although there are still doubts about Solomon's passage through Belmonte, since the work A Viagem do Elefante is not conclusive at this level, Saramago was indeed in Belmonte and, during his visit to the Church of São Tiago - when he saw the Pietà (sculpture of the Virgin Mary with Jesus in her arms) - he said "this is something for which there are no words". What will the Traveller say before such an impressive work of art?

It is not only in the urban centre of Belmonte that this tourist itinerary is structured. On the contrary, it is projected to the South of the town hall, where we awake the traveller to explore the Roman Villa of Quinta da Fórnea and, already in the place of Caria, to know the Houses of the Tower and of the Wheel. Don't forget to visit the Centum Cellas Tower, probably Belmonte's most iconic monument, where the traveller can "let their imagination run wild" and be inspired by this enigmatic and complex piece of architecture, of which its origin and purpose are unknown.

If Solomon passed through these lands, he surely witnessed the presence of such a relevant monumental heritage, the same one that today is open to the most diverse cultural activities and that offers the Traveller a diversity of unique experiences, lived in unlikely settings.

And because this journey is made of inspiration, we try to offer unique memories, so, we invite the traveller to enjoy the rich and diverse local gastronomy that preserves and values the identity of Beira Interior and, specifically, of the Municipality of Belmonte.