Discover Pernes

Pernes brings together sacred architecture, the history of the watermills along the Alviela, a museum presentation of life in earlier times, and local festivals and craft traditions. If you are choosing a destination for these kinds of cultural points of interest, you will find several different periods here—from a group of mills dating back to the 12th century to events that originated in the 17th century.

Churches and historic buildings

The Igreja da Misericórdia de Pernes is classified as a monument of public interest. Its interior is lined with azulejo tiles, and the dome of the main chapel features stone coffers. This brings two distinct design elements to the fore: the tiles inside and the coffers in the dome. The Irmandade da Misericórdia de Pernes was founded in 1587 and is believed to have begun building its church in the following years. The founding and presumed start of construction thus mark two successive stages in its history.

The Igreja Matriz de Pernes is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Purificação and dates back to the 16th century. The year 1585 appears above the entrance to the Capela de Santo António. The Capela de Nossa Senhora do Livramento was founded in 1550 and stands on a hill opposite Pernes. These buildings offer different points of reference in time and place: from a 16th-century church to a chapel on the hill across from town.

Mills, tower and museum

The Moinho Manuelino de Pernes stands on the River Alviela. It is part of a group of watermills and waterwheels dating back to the 12th century. Alongside the churches, it represents another aspect of the town’s history: the mills and waterwheels give the Alviela a tangible connection to Pernes. The Torre do Relógio also offers its own historical perspective. Part of the present-day tower is believed to be of Roman origin; this possible origin explicitly applies to part of the tower, not the entire structure.

The Museu Memórias presents the “living” heritage left by many people of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Pernes. It also aims to depict the lives of earlier generations of Pernes residents. The exhibits described include a reconstruction of a traditional rural home belonging to a middle-class family in the 1950s and an exhibition room containing Pernes’s photographic archive. The home and the archive offer different perspectives: one focuses on life at the time, while the other presents photographs of Pernes. In this way, personal and local memories sit side by side.

Traditions, crafts and specialities

The Procissão do Senhor Jesus dos Passos is a centuries-old tradition and part of Pernes’s cultural heritage; its origins date back to 1624. It takes place on the third Sunday of Lent. The Feira Anual is held every year, and its tradition dates back to 1663. Historically, it was closely linked to olive oil production. If either event is important to your travel plans, check the relevant date in advance.

The traditional woodturning industry is also part of Pernes’s history, with documented origins dating back to the 18th century. Local specialities include Molhinhos de Tripas, Frango na Cal, Pão Caseiro, Rebuçados Perna de Noz, Amorzinhos de Pernes and Broas dos Santos ou de Pernes. The names represent a range of local specialities and add a culinary dimension to the historic buildings and traditions. Together, these subjects offer several distinct points of reference for getting to know Pernes as a destination.

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Go to the main travel overview: Santarém.