Amarante Things to Do

Nowadays is hard to find a Monastery, Basilicas, Mother churches where you don't pay to visit them, well this one the entrance was free (in 2004).
You can admire a magnificent two-storey Renaissance cloister.

When I was wandering around I started hearing a beautiful voice singing Gregorian songs. I looked inside a room and there was only a priest singing. The acoustic interior was incredible, it seemed there was a group of people singing.

On this museum, situated by the Monastery, you may find some interesting pieces dedicated to São Gonçalo (patron of the city) and to the fertility cult (it is said that St Gonçalo made several festivities to make married couples and prevent that man and woman lived in sin).

But my favourite pieces (paintings) on this museum are the works of cubist Portuguese painter Amadeo de Souza Cardoso (1887 – 1918), after whom this museum is named.

But the historic centre of the city isn’t limited to this bank of the River. Crossing the Bridge to the opposite side (opposite to the Monastery) there are more narrow cobbled streets to discover and get lost in. Be sure not to miss it!

The French invasions took some of Amarante’s beautiful houses that were burnt down during the attacks, but there are still plenty nowadays to discover. Some are very well kept but I also came across some abandoned manor houses and buildings which showed a decayed appearance and some of them were covered in vegetation.

As you leave the Monastery you cross the square and you may explore part of the historic centre from there on. Going up the street there are some pleasant houses with interesting architecture as well as nice manor houses. Also to mention that some services are situated on nice styled and well kept houses as is the case of the post office and some banks.

The hustle and bustle of a city doesn’t show in this area of Amarante and one feels as if living in a traditional neighborhood of some quieter village – the traditional commerce, the balconies decorated with flowers, a belvedere with a nice panel made in azulejos (traditional Portuguese tiles) all add up to the lovely ambiance of this beautiful northern city.

Once you arrive in the historic centre of Amarante you cannot miss the Roman Bridge. It crosses the River Tâmega and most certainly you will be crossing it by foot. Beware that traffic is allowed on this stone bridge (one way only) so watch where you are walking.

Along the Bridge there are some kind of “larger” areas – I will call them balconies as they resemble one and I don’t know the exact term. There are about 3 balconies on each side of the Bridge and there is a kind of bench surrounding them. It is no doubt the perfect place to stop and admire the River, its banks and the nice architecture of the city. Also, they are a great place to stop for photos.

The church of S. Pedro is situated near the Monastery. It is a 18th century church and it is opened for visitors only between 2pm and 5pm, every day.

While it may resemble a “regular” church on the outside – a belfry and clock on the tower – but it is beautiful inside. You may visit both the church and also the adjacent room where priests keep their vests and materials.

When we visited in May 2004 there was a helpful lady inside who would accompany the visit and highlight some details while telling some interesting stories about it.

On top of a stairs next to the Monastery we may find the Church of S. Tiago. The belfry and clock tower rise high in the skyline of this side of the River bank; it is also visible from the Monastery’s cloisters – actually the only “visual” contact we may enjoy with the exterior. However both times I visited I never found it opened for a visit inside. There wasn’t also any information on the door about hours or about being opened or closed for visitors or Mass.