Description Montemor-o-Velho

Located in the center of Portugal, the municipality of Montemor-o-Velho belongs to the district of Coimbra. With a total area of ??229km2 spread over 11 parishes, it is part of Baixo Mondego, a privileged region in tourist destinations with great cultural, historical, scenic, sporting and social value.

Whether by car, on foot, by bicycle or on horseback, Montemor-o-Velho invites you to contemplate, to pay attention to the detail of the streets of the historic centers. From the top of the viewpoints of Reveles or Montemor-o-Velho enjoy a unique landscape, which changes colors smoothly throughout the seasons, and fall in love with Baixo Mondego.

The imposing Castle, the biggest fortification in the Mondego and one of the most beautiful in the country, marks the landscape and the experience of Montemor-o-Velho. There you can breathe history and we can almost go back to the times of struggles to regain the territory, the sacrifices of national heroes and the forbidden loves of D. Pedro and Inês de Castro. Discover extramural medieval streets where the nobility of 19th century houses or the popular ingenuity of the nooks continue to surprise. Also noteworthy is the architectural richness of stately homes, churches and sacred art throughout the municipality, especially in the historic centers of Tentúgal, Pereira and Montemor.

On the left bank of the Mondego River is Vila de Pereira. After wandering the picturesque alleys, full of beautiful buildings, such as the Celeiro dos Duques de Aveiro or the Igreja da Misericórdia, it is time to delight in the tasty Queijadas de Pereira. On the other side of the river, Vila de Tentúgal looks like something out of a period film. In addition to the vast built heritage, examples of which are the Nossa Senhora do Carmo convent and the Matriz and Misericórdia churches, let yourself be dazzled by the unique details of the village and marvel at the delicious conventual sweets.

The council's natural landscape is one of the best illustrated postcards in the region.

From the extensive rice fields arises the tasty Rice Carolino from Baixo Mondego, much appreciated by renowned chefs and which gains more and more admirers. Further north, in the lands of Gândara, the agricultural and horticultural sector shows, once again, excellence, mixing the knowledge transmitted from generation to generation with the most modern technology.

Other enviable natural resources in Montemor-o-Velho are the Pauis de Arzila and Taipal where you can see an extensive list of protected fauna and flora species. Reeds, reeds, reeds, water lilies, ducks, storks, red herons or ospreys are some of the species that make these places authentic sanctuaries of fauna and flora.

Europaradise is a zoological park that provides a pleasant walk through nature while watching dozens of animals from around the world. Tigers, ostriches and monkeys are some of the species that can be admired. (http://www.europaradise-park.com)