Romanesque Route
Routes and Paths
Romanesque Route: step by step, origins written in stone
Northern Portugal holds culture, legends, and secrets preserved in an invaluable architectural heritage that tells the stories of our History.
The romanesque style, an architectural movement prominent between the 11th and 14th centuries, can be experienced in all its grandeur and intricate details along this route, comprising 58 monuments and two interpretation centers. Since 2009, this journey has been part of Transromanica, the “Great Cultural Route of the Council of Europe.”
Join us on a journey through the Romanesque Route, path by path, town by town, heritage by heritage.
Did you know...
Pêro Coelho, one of the assassins of Inês de Castro, was born in Felgueiras and lived at Casa de Sergude, in Sendim. Legend has it that every year, on January 7th, Inês wanders through the gardens of the estate.
Bridges in the Middle Ages
The choice of locations to build a bridge depended, among other factors, on the existence of a travel route that warranted a stone crossing.
Although many bridges were built or reconstructed during the Middle Ages - often making use of Roman era bridges - most waterways were crossed on foot using stepping stones, wooden pontoons, or boats (especially on the Douro river).
Don't miss the visit to Quinta da Aveleda - book your tickets online
Did you know…
The Paiva River was considered, in 2006, the cleanest in Europe? It is regarded as the best watercourse in Portugal and one of the best in Europe for rafting!
Did you know...
Eça de Queiroz (1845-1900) drew inspiration from the people and landscapes of Baião to write the novel The City and the Mountains. The writer is buried in the cemetery of Santa Cruz do Douro.
Did you know...
Amarante is the largest municipality in the Porto district and has been part of the UNESCO Creative Cities Network as a City of Music since October 2017.
Interactive Map and App
With the interactive map of the Romanesque Route, you can also find places to eat and stay. Discover the monuments and interpretation centers of the Romanesque Route, along with all the tourist offerings and resources in each region.
You can customize your trip and create your own route, downloading it in PDF or KML format, and set off on an adventure.
The Romanesque Route App, available for Android and iOS, offers a wide range of georeferenced and multimedia information.