Discover Amares: Culture, History and Oranges

When planning a hotel stay in Amares, you can shape your trip around different interests: local history, archaeological traces of the past, religious traditions, and regional ties to oranges and wine. These themes also differ in their timing. Building and settlement history offer a glimpse into several eras; the Romaria, by contrast, has a fixed date each year, while the dates and programme of the Feira Franca may change. When planning, you can decide whether a particular festival date or the destination’s cultural and regional character should be the deciding factor.

Culture and history in Amares

A notable monument is the Pelourinho de Amares. It stands on the steps of Amares Town Hall and is classified as a National Monument. Part of the historic pillory also survives: its hexagonal base, incorporated into the retaining wall beside the steps. The classification and surviving structure offer different points of reference: its monument status and a specific architectural detail. Those interested in architectural history can consider not only the monument but also its surviving form.

The history stretches far back. Povoado da Santinha was inhabited at the end of the Bronze Age, in the 10th century BC, and later during the Roman period. The two settlement phases can be distinguished chronologically: the Roman phase followed the Bronze Age phase. Another historical reference is the building of the Biblioteca Municipal Sá de Miranda, originally constructed before 1879. For those interested in cultural history, these offer a site inhabited in two different eras and a building dated to before the late 19th century.

The Santuário de Nossa Senhora da Abadia is classified as a site of public interest in the Amares and Terras de Bouro area. The classification thus covers both areas. A pilgrimage to the sanctuary takes place every year, and the major Romaria is celebrated annually on 15 August. This fixed date may be relevant when planning the timing of your stay.

The nearby architectural heritage also includes the former Cistercian monastery, Convento de Santa Maria do Bouro. As part of a conversion project by architect Souto Moura, it was transformed into accommodation belonging to Pousadas de Portugal in 1994. The interior of Mosteiro de Santa Maria do Bouro is designed in the Baroque and Rococo styles. Together, these examples offer different perspectives: the religious tradition of the Santuário and the architecture and later conversion of a former monastery.

Oranges, wine and annual traditions

Laranja de Amares can remain on the tree until it is ready to eat and is available from May to August. Its season overlaps in August with the major Romaria, celebrated annually on 15 August. If you choose your travel dates based on regional produce or the festival calendar, you can take both periods into account. At the entrance to Amares stands the “Vinho Cru” sculpture, a tribute to wine and the people who work in viticulture. While the orange offers a seasonal connection, the sculpture highlights the cultural significance of winegrowing.

Another annual event is the Feira Franca in Amares. It includes competitions in which farmers submit oranges from the region to be judged. Dates and the programme may vary, so check the latest information if you are planning your hotel stay around the Feira. The two events therefore differ in terms of travel planning: the major Romaria takes place every year on 15 August, while the dates and programme of the Feira Franca may change.

When choosing a hotel in Amares, consider whether you would rather plan your stay around a fixed festival date, the orange season, or your interest in monuments, architecture and archaeology. These themes offer different seasonal and cultural points of reference, without any single one needing to define the whole trip.

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