Portugal may be a small country in size, but it is substantially ‘giant’ in terms of the richness of its history and the diversity of its landscapes. That’s why, with the vacations looming for many Portuguese, at Lisboa Secreta we continue to break new ground and suggest new (and surprising) getaways, such as Monsanto, in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, in the Castelo Branco district. A trip to Beira Baixa Interior and to the heart of our essence.
Located about 275 kilometers from Lisbon by car, a journey that can take up to 3 hours, the “Most Portuguese Village in Portugal” is anything but an unknown corner. Famous for its picturesque houses, Monsanto has gained worldwide fame for serving as a nest for dragons. At the end of 2021, it became one of the sets for “House of The Dragon” (a prequel to “Games of Thrones”), broadcast on HBO Max.
Romans, Visigoths and Muslims have passed through this Beira treasure, and King Afonso Henriques conquered the town and later handed it over to the mythical Order of the Knights Templar. However, this introduction only serves as an invitation to fully immerse yourself in the deepest and most genuine Portugal. Would you like to join us in this (re)discovery of one of the 12 Historical Villages?
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Points of interest in Monsanto
To start this tour without too many constraints, we advise you to leave your car at the Praça dos Canhões viewpoint. In fact, the best way to explore the village is to walk through it from end to end, contemplating every nook and cranny, between winding, narrow streets and simple stone houses.
One of the biggest highlights is the Monsanto Castle, classified as a National Monument since 1948. But to get there, you have to make a difficult climb. However, the effort will be rewarded with a breathtaking panoramic view over the region. From the top of its 758 meters, you can see Cáceres on the horizon, just across the border – and an equally fantastic destination.
Despite the fact that the medieval castle is one of the main attractions, the truth is that until you get there there is plenty to see, including various points of interest such as:
- Cruzeiro de São Salvador
- Fonte Nova Fountain
- Monsanto Pillory
- Lucano Tower (or Clock Tower)
- São João Chapel, among others.
Home to illustrious figures
The famous singer-songwriter Zeca Afonso, eternal voice of April with his anthem “Grândola Vila Morena”, bought a house in Monsanto. However, he wasn’t the only illustrious figure to seek refuge in this Beira treasure.
Fernando Namora, a doctor and writer, also passed through here, and his profession took him to the village in 1944. He lived here in a house that still stands today and wrote his last works. In fact, it is said that Monsanto was the true muse of his novel “A Noite e a Madrugada” (The Night and the Dawn).
Every morning in Monsanto the world is born. There I realized that the shadow is blue,” wrote Fernando Namora.
The route of the most famous dragons
Are you a fan of the dragons in “House of The Dragon”? At the end of 2023, to immortalize the fact that Monsanto served as the setting for some of the series’ filming, the Historical Village inaugurated a themed tourist route.
“Monsanto – House of The Dragon | Game of Thrones – Dragon’s Nest” was the name given to this route, which takes you through a few points until you reach the castle. A digital support tool stands out in the medieval fortress.
The best time to visit Monsanto
Spring and fall, seasons with mild weather, are the best times of year to visit this beautiful historic village. However, despite the high temperatures that can be felt, don’t ignore summer either.
After all, the heat can be intense, but if you go in the morning, in the afternoon you can enjoy the rest of the day on one of the excellent river beaches nearby, such as the Praia Fluvial de Penha Garcia.
In short, to visit Monsanto is to travel deep into the Portuguese soul; a place that remains (almost) frozen in time. There, everything passes slowly, at a decelerated and magnetic pace; a capsule of rural life from yesteryear that remains forever in the memory!
