MIRANDELA

During the Roman occupation of the area, Mirandela was heavily populated due to the fertility of the land. The town was once enclosed within defensive walls dating back to the 13th century and was one of the finest castles found in the Trás os Montes region. Following the expansion of Portuguese territory, Mirandela's strategic status diminished. Amongst the few remnants of the castle is the Porta de Santo António. This roman arched gateway faces west towards the Tua River. Originally it would have been the main gate of the castle. In May 2000, a plaque was erected on the keystone to mark the 750 anniversary of the towns elevation.

Mirandela has retained much of its medieval centre, although being encroached slightly by the modern world. A former 18th-century palace, the Paço dos Távoras, is now the town hall. Its impressive granite Baroque facade dominates the square it's situated in. It's one of several exuberant Baroque townhouses associated with the Távora family, who controlled Mirandela between the fourteenth and seventeenth centuries.

There's a fine municipal market held each Thursday and is a great place to purchase local produce, delicacies and even a souvenir to take back home. Down by the riverside, there are some gardens and lawns and are pleasant places to chill out. It's also possible to hire kayaks or a pedalo. There is also a river beach where you can take a dip in the Tua River.

Mirandela's beautiful bridge spans the river where once stood a Roman crossing. What you see today dates from the 15th and 16th century. There's been many repairs and alterations over the centuries. Most recently in 1910 after four arches were washed away by floods. There were replaced by two wider ones. The remaining eighteen asymmetrical arches span over 200 metres across the River Tua. For most of its existence, the bridge was the only way to enter the town of Mirandela. It was originally conceived to allow rapid troop movement and allow precious ore from local mines to enter the town. Recently new granite flagstones have been laid to replace the concrete road surface and gaslights added to create a majestic ambience in the evenings. The Medieval bridge today only allows pedestrian traffic to traverse the river and makes an idyllic, if not romantic, sightseeing stroll. Mirandela's Medieval Bridge is one of two National Monuments of the town.

This 20th-century painter Armindo Teixeira Lopes was born in Mirandela. Following his death in 1976, his two sons donated a selection of his work to the town. By 1981 the collection had become large enough to warrant the creation of a dedicated museum located in the centre of Mirandela. Since it opened, the museum has acquired works by many other Portuguese 20th-century and contemporary artists, including João Hogan, Graça Morais, Nadir Afonso and Júlio Pomar. Over 500 pieces of art are contained within the museum. Encompassing disciplines such as painting, photography, prints, sculpture, drawing and engraving from the 1800s to the 21st century.

Weekdays: 10h00 – 12h30/14h00 – 17h30, Saturday: 14h30 – 18h00, Sunday: CLOSED | FREE
Rua João Maria Sarmento Pimentel 180, 5370-383 Mirandela, Portugal
41º 29' 04.3" N | 07º 10' 44.9" W | +351 278 201 590 | geral@cm-mirandela.pt

Olives and olive oil production has been the mainstay of the local economy for centuries. It is this industry the museum is dedicated to. Housed within a former mill the museum's focus is the history and cultural impact fine olive oil has had on Mirandela's fortunes. The museum was designed by Architect Graça Dias and housed in the old Mirandelense's Milling facilities. Following a long period of construction, it opened its doors to the public in 2014. Within the museum one can find a mill room, an olive tree yard, field and fruit Room, olive grove sounds, olive processing and labouring room, olive oil and its uses room, a gallery of temporary exhibitions and an auditorium. There’s an ancient millstone in the central pavilion, and video projections detail the biology and natural history of this ancient plant.

In addition to being an interesting insight into the olive oil production industry, there's also the obligatory gift shop where you'll have the opportunity to purchase some Azeite de Trás-os-Montes olive oil which has DOP status. The area is one of six DOPs in Portugal and the country’s second-largest area of olive oil production. Typically the oil's are very refined and complex with a scent of spices, almond and other dried fruit.

Low season: 10h00 - 16h30, High season: 10h00 - 18h00 | FREE
Travessa Dom Afonso III, 5370 - 516 Mirandela, Portugal | 41º 28' 59.6" N | 07º 10' 58.9" W
+351 278 993 616 | moa@cm-mirandela.pt |  Website

One of the best attractions of Mirandela and the surrounding area is the cuisine. Mirandela is known for the Alheira smoked sausage, which can be eaten hot or cold or added to the array of stews the region offers. Its name is derived from the Portuguese word Alho, meaning “garlic”. Originally the sausage was mainly made from poultry and game. During the time of the inquisition, the Jewish population were forced to convert to Christianity but as a defiant gesture, they still refused to eat pork and devised this tasty delicious delicacy. The Alheira from Mirandela has an IGP certification (“Product of Geographic Indication”) and bound to strict regulations.

Also look out for coal grilled veal steak with seasonal vegetables, “feijoada” (bean stew) à la Transmontana, roasted kid à la Transmontano, watercress soup, dried green bean broth, garlic soup, fried river fish, trout with olive oil, roasted codfish with rye bread, “Tordos de Cheiros” (a traditional dish with thrushes), rabbit stew, partridge with cabbage, roasted kid with rice, goat and sheep cheese, olive oil from the Trás-os-Montes region; “Folar de Carne” (typical Easter cake with smoked meat), Easter cakes, “Papos de anjo”, “bolinhos de azeite” and “aletria” (typical sweets of Mirandela); traditional jams, almonds, figs and honey; wines from the Trás-os-Montes region. Olive oil has a designation of origin within the Trás-os-Montes region, and if you want to meet the growers, there’s even an “Olive Route” passing through Mirandela.