Monsanto Travel Guide

  Aldeia de Monsanto
by VitorMaio
  • Aldeia de Monsanto
      Aldeia de Monsanto
    by VitorMaio
  • Aldeia de Monsanto
      Aldeia de Monsanto
    by VitorMaio
  •   Monsanto
    by VitorMaio
  •   Monsanto
    by VitorMaio
  •   Monsanto
    by VitorMaio

Pro

Bwana_Brown profile photo

 A totally unique village setting 


Con

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 A little out of the way - may be too quiet for some! 


In a nutshell

Bwana_Brown profile photo

 Worth going out of your way! 

 

Explore Monsanto

Things to Do  

The Village

The Village, Monsanto

 solopes Says:  I don't know if it really is "the most Portuguese village of Portugal" as it is widely advertised. It leaves the sensation of a dead village, but I must admit that villages are dying in Portugal, so even that is "very Portuguese". Its visit is interesting, and even if you... 

S Miguel

S Miguel, Monsanto

 solopes Says:  Close to the castle there's a ruined chapel. It was called St. Miguel chapel, and was built in Romanic style at the end of the 12th century. The chapel is surrounded by a few graves carved in the rocks. 

Arch Sebastião

Arch Sebastião, Monsanto

 solopes Says:  Integrated with "Espírito Santo" chapel, one of the doors got the chapel's name, also called, I don't know why, St. Sebastian arch. The chapel is from the 16th century, but the arch must be older, probably already with the saint's name. 

The Castle

The Castle, Monsanto

 solopes Says:  If you feel in good condition you may accept the challenge of climbing to the castle. It has nothing particularly relevant, but it obliges to walk along all the village, and reaching the top, it rewards you with some awesome sights. Someone said that Monsanto is the most... 

Tower Lucano

Tower Lucano, Monsanto

 solopes Says:  Also called the clock tower, for obvious reasons, this is the tallest building in the village, providing good views to those who don't risk the hard climbing to the castle. Atop of this 14th century tower, a silvery clock was the official prize for "the most Portuguese... 

Megalithic graves

Megalithic graves, Monsanto

 berenices Says:  Just outside the castle wall, on the other route that goes back down to the village, are several megalithic graves. They look quite impressive as several seem to have been dug or shaped out of a single huge block of stone. We were quite surprised to see these structures, as... 

Restaurants  

Taverna Lusitana: Taverna Lusitana for the view and service

Taverna Lusitana: Taverna Lusitana for the view and service, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  Two things make Taverna Lusitania stand out, first and foremost was the warm and smiling welcome that we got from the owner Joao and the second was the super fantastic view that we had on the "perch" above the town of Monsanto. It is the PERFECT place to take a load off your... 

Hotel Rainha D. Amelia: One of Our Most Enjoyable Meals

Hotel Rainha D. Amelia: One of Our Most Enjoyable Meals, Monsanto

 Bwana_Brown Says:  After getting settled into the hotel and changing to appropriate dinner clothes, we walked the nearby streets of Castelo Branco to see what we could find. It was about 8 PM but the pickings seemed slim - most places were almost empty and had big TVs blaring away. As a... 

Transportation  

Car to get there

Car to get there, Monsanto

 easyoar Says:  Monsanto is a little out if the way, so your best bet of getting there is by car as I should imagine public transport is not to frequent!Monsanto is also pretty high, so should you try and go by bike, you will be in for a lot of hills and climbing.However going by car brings... 

Walking is the only way to see the town

Walking is the only way to see the town, Monsanto

 easyoar Says:  Monsanto is pretty small, and parking is pretty difficult, and the roads are very very narrow and have very tight bends. To look around the town, the only way to do it is to park wherever you can find a space, and then get out and walk.If you want to go up to the castle, you... 

Local Customs  

Goats on Top of the World

Goats on Top of the World, Monsanto

 Bwana_Brown Says:  Nearing the end of our walk to the very top of Monsanto's hill, and past the ruins of its old fort and a church, we suddenly heard bells tinkling. Over the next boulder and there was a herd of goats munching away with the best view in the house! They seemed quite curious... 

Off The Beaten Path  

A Lonely Mountain Top
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4.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

Bwana_Brown 3530 reviews
Monsanto - Once a Mountaintop Castle

As with the other castles that we had visited to that point during our trip (Sintra, Aljezur, Monsaraz and Marvao), Monsanto started life as fortified settlement on top of the highest peak they could find. This area of Portugal had been part of the Roman settlements and there are still remnants of their presence in nearby villages. Over the course of history, the inhabitants of this part of Portugal took to the high ground as they sought to defend themselves during their back-and-forth wars with the Moors 800-1000 years ago. This was our first view of Monsanto, as we prayed for the sun to come through and clear away the clouds - which it did in its own good time!

Updated Jul 14, 2005

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Overviews of Monsanto

Overviews of Monsanto, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  A high point, just about anywhere in Monsanto, will give you views "down" into the village, its streets, its rooftops, or even into the surrounding valleys...no matter where though you have a varied landscape or roofscape to enjoy. 

Boulders of Monsanto

Boulders of Monsanto, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  The winding paths (streets) of Monsanto are winding for a reason...as you pass by, and UNDER some of the enormous house sized (or larger) boulders strewn around Monsanto you will know why. The people of this village built the entire village in, under, over and around the... 

Architecture of stone in Monsanto

Architecture of stone in Monsanto, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  The beautiful blending in of the stone houses here on the Monsanto mountain with the surrounding boulders is fantastic. Seldom have I seen this blend done so well. I have to ask myself if it is intentional, and I believe it is not, just a "natural" way to build when you take... 

Seen in Monsanto

Seen in Monsanto, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  A few of the things seen around the streets of Monsanto, like the "Gruta" or grotto where Zohara is waiting at the entrance for me. It was pitch black inside even though there was a sign as you can see above the entrance portal. The only time I saw what I was photographing... 

Monsanto Rooftops

Monsanto Rooftops, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  For some reason I enjoy both looking at and photographing the red tiled rooftops of village or town...especially when the streets are crazy like here in Monsanto, no two go in the same direction which creates a mosaic pattern of rooftops that is wonderful 

The Stony and Steep streets of Monsanto

The Stony and Steep streets of Monsanto, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  As mentioned in the introduction, the streets of Monsanto are STEEP, you will find that even if you are in good shape that you will exert yourself here. Remember to bring water or stop in at one of the restaurants to keep hydrated. The small twisting and winding streets of... 

Arriving at Monsanto

Arriving at Monsanto, Monsanto

 Martin_S. Says:  I have attached the "mountain climbing" activity to Monsanto because anyone who cannot climb a small mountain should not attempt Monsanto. It seems as if every street is competing with its neighbours as "the steepest". The vistas from the lookout and the blending of the... 

Modernity

Modernity, Monsanto

 solopes Says:  It's a difficult compromise, to preserve the traditional look of the villages, and to give locals some comfort. Nowhere I noticed a so remarkable presence id electric wires and TV antennas as in Monsanto. Couldn't be otherwise? 

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Map of Monsanto