Penedono: Castle, Festivals and Paths through the Chestnut Landscape

Penedono combines a striking castle on a rocky promontory with historic squares, regional festivals and paths through a rural chestnut landscape. Those looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home will find a place where culture, nature and local traditions can be discovered in different ways. The key factor when planning your trip is therefore what experiences you want to focus on: historic sites, hiking trails, festivals or regional specialities.

Castle and historical traces in Penedono

Castelo de Penedono stands on a rocky promontory and dominates the landscape of the region. Its existence has been documented since the 10th century. The castle is therefore not only a striking landmark, but also a starting point for exploring the town’s long history.

Further historical evidence can be found throughout the townscape. The Pelourinho de Penedono was erected at the beginning of the 16th century following the new Foral granted by King Manuel I on 27 November 1512. The structure is classified as an Property of Public Interest and is located at Praça 25 de Abril. Other elements contributing to the town’s historical character include Igreja de S. Pedro, the only surviving of three medieval parish churches in Penedono, and Casa dos Freixos, which was built in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Between chestnut groves and regional natural heritage

Two differently characterised routes are ideal for active days on holiday. The PR2 – Trilhos do Ouriço e da Castanha focuses on chestnut groves and the surrounding rural landscape. Along the route, you can experience the biodiversity of flora and fauna typical of this region. The PR1 – Rota do Sirigo offers local fauna, religious and geological heritage, as well as the natural monument Castanheiro da Guerra.

These two trails have different focal points. The PR2 places the chestnut landscape and its natural environment at the forefront, while the PR1 brings together a wider range of forms of regional heritage. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you would primarily like to get to know Penedono through its landscape and nature, or through the combination of nature, geology and history.

Festivals, markets and regional specialities

The Feira Medieval de Penedono offers a special atmosphere in the historic centre. It is designed as an immersive historical re-enactment and includes street entertainment, a market selling typical products, taverns serving contemporary cuisine and themed decorations. The celebrations of S. Pedro take place on 29 June. They include an ethnographic parade in which the Juntas de Freguesia and associations of the Concelho participate, the annual Feira Anual de S. Pedro, a mass and a procession in honour of the patron saint.

There are also opportunities to discover the local side of Penedono outside these festivals. Mercado Magriço takes place on the second weekend of November. The Centro de Mostra e Divulgação de Produtos Locais offers tastings in the historic centre. Every year, thousands of pilgrims and other visitors attend the Romaria de Santa Eufémia on 15 and 16 September at the Santuário de Santa Eufémia. The pilgrimage includes a fair where regional products are sold, including Marrã, pork cooked in wine in an iron pot.

The right accommodation for your travel plans

A holiday apartment in Penedono is a particularly suitable search option if you want to plan your stay around a specific cultural or culinary event. For the Feira Medieval, the celebrations of S. Pedro, the Romaria de Santa Eufémia or Mercado Magriço, it is worth taking the relevant dates into account when planning your trip. If you would rather travel independently of a festival, you can focus on the castle, the historic buildings and the two routes through the landscape. This way, you choose your accommodation not only according to the location, but also according to the character of your stay.

For the higher-level travel overview: Penedono.