Land of mastery and flavors

To the south of the district of Coimbra, we find Penela – a town with an important heritage legacy and unique beauty, rich in mountain villages and densely wooded slopes. the surrounding landscape, namely the picturesque village and the Serra da Lousã.

What to visit?

Penela Castle

Classified as a National Monument in 1910, the Castle of Penela is a medieval fortress dating back to the 11th century. It was part of the so-called Defensive Line of Mondego at the time of the Christian Reconquest and had the function of the advanced guard of Coimbra.

The Castle of Penela is home to one of the biggest national Christmas events – «Penela Presépio», as well as the Medieval Fair of Penela, one of the oldest in the country.

castelo-penela-wtt-portugal

Pedra da Ferida Waterfall

This spectacular waterfall, 32 meters high, is located in the Serra do Espinhal, in the municipality of Penela. Its name comes from the fact that the rocks have a reddish color, as they are rich in iron and are in continuous contact with oxygen present in the water of the river.

To visit the site it is necessary to take a short pedestrian path. From the village of Espinhal to the waterfall is 3 km and the last part has to be done on foot, through a forest path, with dense vegetation and many tree shades.

Gastronomy

The parish of Rabaçal is located near Penela. Famous for its cheese made with a mixture of sheep and goat milk, flavored with Santa Maria herb. In Rabaçal it is also possible to visit the Roman Ruins of Rabaçal, a discovered Roman housing complex in 1984.

Medieval Fair

Taking advantage of the natural setting constituted by the Castle and the Historic Center of the village, Penela has the ideal setting for historical recreations alluding to the medieval period.

The medieval fair in Penela takes on a playful-pedagogical aspect, making known the work of live artisans, merchants, taverns and multiple historical representations with acrobats, jugglers, tournaments, processions of weapons, dances and music.

What to visit?

castelo-penela-wtt-portugal

Penela Castle

Classified as a National Monument in 1910, the Castle of Penela is a medieval fortress dating back to the 11th century. It was part of the so-called Defensive Line of Mondego at the time of the Christian Reconquest and had the function of the advanced guard of Coimbra. of the biggest national Christmas events – «Penela Presépio», as well as the Medieval Fair of Penela, one of the oldest in the country.

Pedra da Ferida Waterfall

This spectacular waterfall, 32 meters high, is located in the Serra do Espinhal, in the municipality of Penela. Its name comes from the fact that the rocks have a reddish color, as they are rich in iron and are in continuous contact with oxygen present in the water of the river. To visit the site it is necessary to take a short pedestrian path. From the village of Espinhal to the waterfall is 3 km and the last part has to be done on foot, through a forest path, with dense vegetation and many tree shades.

Gastronomy

The parish of Rabaçal is located near Penela. Famous for its cheese made with a mixture of sheep and goat milk, flavored with Santa Maria herb. In Rabaçal it is also possible to visit the Roman Ruins of Rabaçal, a discovered Roman housing complex in 1984.

Medieval Fair

Taking advantage of the natural setting constituted by the Castle and the Historic Center of the village, Penela has the ideal setting for historical recreations alluding to the medieval period.The medieval fair in Penela takes on a playful-pedagogical aspect, making known the work of live artisans, merchants, taverns and multiple historical representations with acrobats, jugglers, tournaments, processions of weapons, dances and music.