Arcas: Solar, Rio Macedo Route and Traditions

You can get to know Arcas through its Baroque manor house and the Rio Macedo Route, which starts and ends in the village. Regional food culture and a festival held on the same date each August are also part of its character. When choosing a destination for your hotel stay, these themes help you get a sense of what your visit will be like: architectural history in the village, a route with a set distance, and regional traditions.

The Solar das Arcas and its architecture

The Solar das Arcas is classified as a Monument of Public Interest. It was probably built in the 18th century and is considered a characteristic example of a Baroque manor house. A private chapel is built into one end of the façade. This layout brings the manor house and private place of worship together in one complex, and is also a striking architectural detail. The building is in Arcas, in the Freguesia de Arcas, in the municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros. For travelers who also consider architecture when choosing a destination, the manor house is a clearly defined point of interest in the village.

The Rio Macedo Route: distance and itinerary

The Rio Macedo Route is 9.3 kilometers long and starts and ends in Arcas. From there, it descends through a patchwork of farmland to the Rio Macedo. In Arcas, points of interest along the route include the Solar das Arcas, the Igreja Matriz and the Fontanário. After leaving the village, the route passes the Capela do Nosso Senhor dos Passos, which lies outside the village center. The circular section begins there. The two references to chapels should be distinguished: the private chapel is built into the façade of the Solar, while the Capela do Nosso Senhor dos Passos is a separate point outside the village center along the route. The distance and itinerary give you concrete details to help you plan the route as part of your stay.

Casulas and Palaio: regional food culture

Casulas are a typical product of Trás-os-Montes, especially the Terra Fria. They are eaten mainly in winter and are often served as an Entrudo dish. To prepare them, beans are harvested when the seeds have formed in the pods but are not yet dry. The pods are split if necessary and dried in the sun on straw or blankets for several days. Palaio, in turn, is a sausage typical of northeastern Trás-os-Montes. It is made during the slaughter season and stored for later consumption. In many villages, it is added to Entrudo stews along with other sausages and can be served with casulas. The two traditions therefore also differ in how they are prepared: the harvest stage and sun-drying shape the casulas dish, while palaio is defined by its production and storage.

Festival calendar and directions

The Festa do Divino Senhor dos Passos takes place on the second Sunday in August and lasts for three days. If you are planning a trip around the festival, check the date for the relevant year. To reach the Freguesia de Arcas, take the IP4 to Mirandela. Check road conditions before setting out.

Discover more destinations: Podence, Morais, Bornes, Santa Combinha.

Back to the main travel guide: Macedo De Cavaleiros.