This guided tour of Arouca will take us to the most important churches of this town. We'll discover its history and its links with the monarchies of Spain and Portugal, a tour not to be missed!
Description
At the time of your choice, we'll meet at the entrance of the monastery of Arouca, the most important and famous church in this town. Are you ready to learn about its history? Let's go!
We'll taste some sweets and go inside the monastery to discover its rooms, such as the cloister, the kitchen or the museum of sacred art. As we tour the complex, we'll discover all about its past. Does the name of Mafalda of Portugal ring a bell? This princess, married to Henry I of Castile, was the driving force behind the founding of this monument in the 13th century, so much so that she ended her days living there as a nun. We'll reveal the details of her failed marriage and her subsequent beatification.
The guided tour of Arouca will take us on a walk through the historic centre until we reach the Chapel of Mercy, built in 1612. Despite its small size, this church stands out for the high quality of its paintings and religious sculptures, which will fascinate you!
Afterwards, we'll go to the so-called Calvario de Arouca, a granite mountain with stone crosses. We'll explain the history of this place dedicated to reflection and contemplation. We'll also talk about the popular procession of the Fogaréus, which ends on this hill.
After 2.5 hours, we'll finish our tour of Arouca at the Calvary.
