Chaves

Understand

Chaves (SHAH-v(ih)sh, /ˈʃa.vɨʃ/) is surrounded by mountains and that brings windy and changing weather, so you'd better bring a jacket or an umbrella with you, at least in and autumn and winter. Chaves was already inhabited before the time of the Roman Empire, since prehistory. About two millennia ago, the Romans occupied the place, built monuments such as the Trajan bridge and named the city Aquæ Flaviæ. Later the Suevos, Visigodos and Alanos, coming from Eastern Europe, put an end to the Roman occupation. With the Arabs, Islam also invaded the space once occupied by Christianity. Chaves was conquered in the 9th century by Don Afonso, king of Leão. But, at the beginning of the 10th century Chaves was conquered again by the Moors, until, in the 11th century, Don Afonso III, king of Leão, rescued it, ordered to rebuild, populate and surround walls again. Around 1160 Chaves joined Portugal. Due to its border situation, Chaves was vulnerable to attack by invaders and as a measure of protection, Don Dinis ordered the castle and the walls that still dominate much of the city and its periphery to be raised.

Getting there

There is no train service.

By plane The easy way to go to Chaves by plane is going to Oporto airport, and then catch a bus or highway to Chaves, which should take about one hour and half. There are low cost companies flying to Oporto, one of them is Ryanair.

By car By the N2 from Vila Real. You can also use the A24 or A7.

By bus From Porto and Lisbon:

Tamega AutoViação Rodonorte

See

1 The Pedestrian Bridge and the Riverside Green Area. An extensive green area on the east side of the Tâmega River between the Engenheiro Carmona Bridge and the Public Gardens that is open to the public. It has a playground, pedestrian and cycling paths, and a large grassy area. An ultra-modern pedestrian bridge will soon be open linking the park of the hot springs and this new recreational area. A cycling and walking path on both banks of the river extends north for several kilometers. (updated Nov 2019)

2 Castle of Chaves (Castelo de Chaves e restos da fortificação abaluartada na cidade). The 14th-century castle was constructed in the reign of King Don Dinis, but today only the keep tower remains. (updated Jan 2021) 3 Castle of Monforte (Castelo de Monforte) (in Águas Frias). National Monument (updated Nov 2019) 4 Forte São Francisco. Strongly protected by the defence of the border with Galicia, by the Middle Ages Chaves became unprotected. It had to fortify itself, garrison the nearby hilltops, in order to keep them from being occupied by enemy artillery. The first to be considered was the hill of Pedisqueira, where there was a Franciscan convent. During the final phase of the Portuguese Restoration War (1640-1668), the decision was made to build a fort according to the modern concepts of military engineering. This fort played an important role in the Napoleonic invasion of Portugal in 1807, when it was captured by Marshal Soult, and then retaken when a light garrison was left to guard it. It was also the scene of several pro-royalist revolts in the early eighteenth century and later in 1910. The fort is based on the Vauban system, with a four-pointed star, each one serving as a lookout tower. The walls are all of granite, with about 1 m of thickness. The height varies according to the slope of the terrain, but the maximum point has 20 m. The main entrance faces the south, with a drawbridge over the moat, that no longer exists. There are other gates, to the east

Do

Football: GD Chaves were relegated in 2024 and now play soccer in Liga Portugal 2, the second tier. Their home ground is Estádio Municipal (capacity 8400) 1 km north of town centre. There is a new casino as of 2019.

Eat

The typical dishes of Chaves and Alto Tâmega includ, the famous ham of Chaves and Barroso, the salpicão, the sausages, the alheiras, the barrosã steak, the roasted or stewed kid, the stew to the transmontana, the feijoada to the transmontana, the corn to the Roman, trout stuffed with the tasty ham, Pasteis de Chaves and Folar, a specialty of soft pasta with pork, ham, sausage and sausage. Another specialty is rye bread, honey and its flavored wine. Dried and cured with smoke from the fireplaces, both ham and sausages acquire their unmistakable flavour, in the making of the Folar de Chaves, as well as the Pastéis de Chaves. The most typical fish dishes are from the Tâmega River, namely trout that are stuffed with local ham. We also highlight the stewed kid, as well as the feijoada and the incomparable stew of the transmontana, the famous corn and the typical french toast.

1 Restaurante - Pensão Flávia, Travessa Cândido dos Reis, 12, ☏ +351 961 693 890, [email protected]. (updated Nov 2019)

Sleep

Rural hotel 1 Hotel Rural Casas Novas, ☏ +351 276 300 050, [email protected]. Check-in: 14:00 - 23:00, check-out: 08:00 - 12:00. 4-star rural hotel. (updated Nov 2019) 2 Quinta de Samaiões - Hotel Rural, R. Dr. Francisco de Barros Homem Teixeira 56, 5400-756, ☏ +351 276 340 450, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:30 – 24:00, check-out: 09:00 – 12:00. 4-star rural hotel (updated Nov 2019)

Hotel 3 Albergaria Borges Hotel, Outeiro Jusão, 5400-575, ☏ +351 276 351 450, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 3-star hotel. (updated Nov 2019) 4 Hotel Aquae Flaviae- Premium Chaves, Praça do Brasil, 5400-123, ☏ +351 276 309 000, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00 - 00:00, check-out: 07:00 - 12:00. 3-star hotel. (updated Nov 2019) 5 Hotel Forte de São Francisco, Largo Pedisqueira, 5400-435, ☏ +351 276 333 700, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00 - 20:00, check-out: 12:00. 4-star hotel. (updated Nov 2019) 6 Hotel Casino Chaves, Vale de Anta, 5400-001, ☏ +351 276 309 600, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 4-star hotel. (updated Nov 2019) 7 Castelo Hotel, Rua da Muralha, 4, 5400-414, ☏ +351 276 249 270, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. 4-star hotel. (updated Nov 2019)

Go next

Vidago, Pedras Salgadas.

Pinhão (Alijó) Vila Real