We knew nothing about the town of Belmont, other than it had a castle, but at this point what town didn't! We stayed at a 24 room pousada (renovated historical building used as an upscale inn) converted from a 13th century convent Our Lady of Hope (for monks). Located walking distance from town, in a wooded hilltop looking out at the Estrela mountain range (tallest mountains in Portugal), the quiet setting was one of our favorites. The buildings were renovated with history and comfort in mind. The restaurant was exceptionally good. We found this town to be very welcoming and comfortable. From this location, one has access to many small medieval villages, Roman ruins, and the mountain hikes. A really great setting for us. Oh, and a local winery, Quinta dos Termos, was the icing on the cake! Their wines were in every local restaurant we ate.
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| view of Estrela Mountains and sunset from our balcony |
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| patio on way to our room |
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| bar, former sacristy...on way to our room |
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| Brother Inacio, the beekeeper - our room name |
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| the lounge-former chapel |
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| Feet in cool pool - tho too cool to swim |
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| our wine-paired dinner - octopus course |
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| wild boar, Azores pineapple confit |
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| partridge with black truffle puree |
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| 8 courses plus covert (bread and toppings) |
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| creme brulee in a granite river stone! |
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| the white and red wines from local winery |
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| selling fresh cherries on roadside! delish |
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| Belmonte castle from late 12th century |
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| birth home of Pedro Alvares Cabral, discoverer of Brazil in 1500s |
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| view of Estrela Mountains |
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| Turk explores castle |
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| view through castle wall |
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| Manueline window in castle |
We were scheduled for a day of hiking in the Estrela Mountains, but a cold front and rain with fog eliminated that options. Kudos to our guide for coming up with an interesting journey to a medieval town - Sortelha - and Roman ruins - Centum Cellas. Lots of interesting information on the boulder formations, plants, and ancient buildings. The fog took us back in time, ready to see a knight gallop past on his stead!
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| Sortelha castle walls were part of a strategic line of defence in the early 13th century. |
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| hiking into Sortelha |
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| boulders everywhere, including castle walls |
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| guide took lots of pics of us for his website |
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walking through the castle gate,lines on right are
official measurements for trade in village |
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| wood door front to keep animals out |
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| beautiful cobblestone streets, fig trees |
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| some homes inhabited in summer |
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| very short door on outside |
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| interior of one derelict stone home |
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| part of a wall with lichen |
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| massive castle walls, built by King Manuel I 16th cent for defense |
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| original church, tombs outside |
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| anthropomorphic tombs carved from rock-small ! |
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| beautiful lichen and rock plants |
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| more rock succulents |
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| Centum Cellas, Roman 1st cent AD |
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| added on in Medieval times |
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| was home to wealthy Roman Tin tradesman |
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| lots of old cars in Portugal |
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| donkey with attitude as we drove by |
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| amazing goat, chicken BBQ in Belmonte |
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| well dressed woman walking goats back home on road |
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Belmonte grocery store, that 2 hour lunch is
IMPORTANT! |
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one of numerous country hikes, this took us down
to a valley and a dam...and fossils |
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| Penha Garcia Millers village-tho deserted that day. part of the hike |
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| typical shrine outside of house or beside road |
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| we saw windmills EVERYWHERE! 60% Portuguese power from sustainable resources |
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