Gatão

• Enjoy a walk along the Ecopista do Tâmega. The Ecopista runs right beneath Casa da Felicidade and stretches from the town of Amarante all the way to Arco de Baúlhe (39 km long). Going down the street, make a left at the end. You will see the Ecopista right in front of you. Heading right will take you towards Amarante, which is about a 4.3 km or 40 min walk away. If you fancy a bike ride, we have bikes available for hire. Going left will take you towards Chapa (and beyond!), with beautiful views of the Tâmega valley along the way. Look out for the beautiful Ponte de Santa Natália, about 2 km along the way.
• Igreja de São João Baptista de Gatão. You don’t even have to leave the house for this one! The Igreja de São João is located right on Casa da Felicidades doorstep and is part of the famous Rota do Rômanico. It was built between the 13th and 14th century, and has been a national monument since 1940. The patron saint is São João, who is celebrated on the 24th of June with church services, musical performances, a BBQ and fireworks, all right in front of the church. One of Portugal’s most famous poets, Teixeira de Pascoaes, is buried on the graveyard next to the church.
• Fancy an apéritif? Tasca da Estaçao is a small village café about 50 meters from our doorstep. Settle down outside with a cool beer or a glass of local vinho verde (at very reasonable Portuguese prices) or enjoy a typical Portuguese dinner (our favourite is the bacalhão). Bookings are necessary for dinner, we will gladly help you with this.

Amarante

• Igreja e Convento de S. Gonçalo de Amarante. According to local tradition, the history of the church goes back to the 13th century, when it was founded by the hermite S. Gonçalo. In the 16th century, during the reign of King João III, a new Dominican church and convent was built, dedicated to S. Gonçalo. Multiple changes were made up until the 20th century. King João, among others, is represented in the Varanda do Reis at the front of the church. Inside the church, there is a large organ and the grave of Gonçalo de Amarante. According to legend, if you rub the statue, you will be lucky in love (Gonçalo is the patron saint of singles!) From the church you can reach the small but beautiful courtyard of the convent. There is usually a stall outside selling doces regionais dedicated to S. Gonçalo. They are a rather unusual shape…
• Ponte de São Gonçalo. The bridge is located right next to the Igreja S. Gonçalo and connects the Praça da República with the Rua 31 de Janeiro. It is believed the ponte was built on the location of an old Roman bridge. According to local tradition, the bridge was rebuilt by S. Gonçalo in the 13th century. It collapsed due to a flood in 1763, and was rebuilt in the years to come. For 14 days in 1809, during the Peninsular war, the bridge was heavily defended against retreating Napoleonic troops. It has elements of the baroque and neoclassical styles and has been a national monument since 1910. Please be careful when crossing the bridge, because even though it is fairly narrow, cars are allowed to drive on it (in one direction, towards the church).
• Museu Municipal Amadeo de Souza Cardoso. The museum is located in the convent of the S. Gonçalo church and focuses mainly on the works of two painters: António Carneiro and Amadeo de Souza. Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso was a Portuguese painter, who was born in Mancelos, Amarante. He studied in Lisbon and Paris and quickly become known as a caricaturist. He was friends with other artists such as Gertrude Stein and Amedeo Modigliani. His early works were impressionist, but he soon became influenced by cubist and futuristic styles, and so became one of Portugal’s first modern painters, when that style wasn’t widely accepted yet. He died of the Spanish flu in 1918, aged only 30. The museum boasts a collection of his work and that of many other local and Portuguese artists.

Outside of Amarante

• Parque Natural do Alvão. About an hour’s drive away and close to Vila Real, this national park is definitely worth a visit. There’s a big waterfall (Fisgas de Ermelo), and multiple rock pools (such as Piocas de Baixo and Galegos da Serra) that are a wonderfully refreshing place to cool off during hot summers. Casa de Mateus. This 18th century mansion near Vila Real has been a national monument since 1910, and it’s not very hard to see why. The house was built according to the Italian Baroque style. Its gardens are extensive, and can be visited at any time. If you want to take a look inside the house and chapel or the wine cellar, you can book a guided tour on the website.
• Tongobriga. This archeological site consists of the ruins of an ancient Roman town, built between the 1st and 2nd century AD. The sheer size of the site, with a necropolis, forum and thermae, shows that it must have been quite an important city. Guided and free tours are available. Mosteiro de Paço de Sousa. One of the 21 monuments that make up the Rota do Românico do Vale do Sousa, it was founded in the 10th century and used to serve as a benedictine monastery. The convent has since been sold, but the church (which has recently been renovated) remains open for visits.
• Castelo de Arnoia. These ruins, which are part of the Rota do Românico, are located in Arnoia, a 15km or 20min drive away. Some believe the site was occupied as early as during the Roman invasion of the Iberian peninsula. The castle was built during the late 10th - early 11th century and used to be the seat of the municipality of Arnoia. Because of the remoteness of the site, the seat was later moved to Celorico de Basto. There are many walks in the area that pass by other historical structures, such as the old court room and prison, the pharmacy, pelourinho (pillory) and the gallows. Well worth a visit!