Despite being a tiny village on the Portugal-Spain border, Monfortinho has plenty to offer aside from the excellent thermal spas. It has cultural sites, natural resources such as many trees, good walking paths, beautiful areas for commercial recreation, and good social areas for recreation.
Monfortinho and Its Famous Thermal Springs
Set on the banks of the Erges River, Monfortinho can be described as a place located at the border between Spain and Portugal. It is not one of the most critically important locations in Portugal that, however, has a variety of interesting things to do for any kind of traveler.
The best known of them cannot be any other than its Thermal Baths, which history goes back to the Roman Empire. These thermal baths are famous for their high quality and purity of water and their curative qualities which attract many tourists to visit and enjoy the beautiful waters of the baths.
Thermal baths are traditions in Monfortinho and they have been around for centuries. Already the Romans appreciated these waters that possess healing properties, and the tradition has been preserved till now. Travellers have up to this time thronged the area to take baths in the water mentioned to cure diseases such as arthritis, skin diseases, and respiratory diseases. The environment of baths also contributes to the wonderful situation because the atmosphere there is calm and everyone can have a rest from a working week.
However, it goes beyond hot springs, and Monfortinho is indeed a beautiful village with a pleasant climate and lots of sunshine. Besides, the location of the town itself surrounded by splendid natural preserves gives many other points of interest that are worth a visit.
Top Attractions in Monfortinho
Below are five attractions in Monfortinho that will help realize how diverse the town is:
1. Our Lady of Consolation Church
The temple of Our Lady of Consolation is one of the first churches, it is a rectangular building without the deep specialization of the construction of religious structures, but at the same time, the architecture is graceful and recognizable. Largely white and brown in color with a matt finish inside the roof, it is not very broad from inside, the Alter or the main wall has very refined carvings almost in the typical Roman Catholic manner. Every enthusiast of obsolete architecture and religious harmony should add this place to his list of the visited ones.
The church is multi-century old and symbolizes the religious history of the town. It has a quasi-rustic appearance but matters are far from rustic on the inside with a full makeshift altar which has been carved and painted intricately in wood. The church also continuously opens religious ceremonies and holy days for tourists to embrace regional ethnography practices and Gregory’s cultures.
2. Hotel da Fonte Santa
The Hotel da Fonte Santa is a much-frequented stopover site which exhibits an attractive exterior accented with contemporary interlard with neoclassical touches. There are comfortable rooms that one can book in the hotel and several facilities namely; reception lounges, large hall for events, a chapel, dining hall, bar among others. This hotel is conveniently located for access to forests and trails and offers comfort together with nature tourists.
This hotel has a long story connected with the emergence of thermal baths in Monfortinho. Founded for travelers searching for the curative water source, Hotel da Fonte Santa is transformed into a contemporary hotel to meet various clients’ needs. The classic design of the interior and amplifying calm atmosphere promises a comfortable stay. At the hotel, the restaurant offers quality Portuguese local food that meets the requirements of a gourmet.
3. The Pelourinho of Salvaterra do Extremo
The Salvaterra do Extremo’s Pelourinho is a monument going as far as the 16th century and mainly erected through the initiatives of the monarchs of that epoch. This piece of art is sculpted in the form of a pillar with a pyramidonic cap in the form of a coat of arms of Portugal and is found in Salvaterra do Extremo; a small town that can be accessed in 25 minutes from Monfortinho.
This stone structure commonly called the pillory signifies the Medieval justice and self-governance. It is the place associated with rights and justice and gives the town its historical meaning. The Pelourinho formally occupies the town square and thus is accompanied by other architectural monuments. Therefore, a visitor will be able to comprehend the atmosphere of the historical past. Tourists can leisurely make rounds around the place though there are marks that give the history of the town and a company that offers guided tour services.
4. Roman Bridge of Segura
The next site which still has the mark of the Romans is the Roman Bridge of Segura. Sitting about half an hour away from Monfortinho on the river Eljas, this is a very old bridge crossing the border between Portugal and Spain. Albeit not that huge, the monument is 46 meters in length and 6 meters in height; however, its facade is a unique insight into the Roman achievements in engineering.
Built in the sociopolitical context of the Roman Empire, the bridge still provides the physical aesthetic after centuries of the civilization. It is therefore useful, strong, with over-arching spans and dressed stone to demonstrate that the Romans possessed great engineering capabilities. The beautiful bridge thus has the necessary architecture that makes it a marvelous backdrop for photo shoots while also presenting beholders with a panoramic view of the surrounding environment. Segura’s Roman Bridge is experiencing it in a rather profound way as this trip offers people an exact look at the historical evolution of the region.
5. Monfortinho Sports Complex
Other than the thermal baths, visitors to this region are afforded by the Monfortinho Sports Complex which is a nice calming area for the provision of numerous activities. The full complex is made of hotel accommodation and restaurants with recreational services all located near the natural environment. The most liked amenities are the swimming pools for kids with the other one for the adults, named the forest park that has exercises such as trekking, biking, and cruising.
Thus, the sports complex is intended to serve as a destination for two types of tourists, those who like active vacation, and those who need to rest. The verandah swimming pool is ideal for taking a dip in the hot afternoon, literally next to the door step; the forest park has various activities that can be undertaken within and outside the park as a one-stop center. The park has clearly defined trails to do hiking and biking within the park which makes it easy to view the natural scenery. For the water activities enthusiasts, the rivers and the lakes closer to the land can be used for boating and fishing activities too.
The above complex also plays host to a number of activities and sports festivals from time to time hence it is quite a busy place. Looking for sporting activities or more leisurely recreation in a stunning environment, Monfortinho has it all in its multipurpose sports complex.
More to See and Things You May Have Missed
Of course, there are a number of main attractions in Monfortinho that are worth visiting; however, there are also a number of places there that are equally interesting.
Casa do Salgueiro
Casa do Salgueiro is a rustic country house like a homestay that provides a feel of a typical Portuguese countryside. This great house with the stoned walls and non-glamorous appearance reflects the architectural style of the region to the maximum. A visit to the house is also allowed where tourists are offered to take guided tours implemented to show the daily practices of the household and the social background of the area. The environment around is filled with gardens and tracts of fruit trees which makes it ideal for a walk.
Alares Reservoir
Nature lovers should not miss the Alares Reservoir. About 10 km from Monfortinho, there is this beautiful reservoir surrounded by hilly terrains and forests. The place is commonly used for bird watching, fishing, and having a picnic. Due to the calm water and the environment created, it is an appropriate place to tour and view the natural landscape.
Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve
The Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve is a large preserved natural landscape with dense vegetation scattered throughout this area, classified as Nature 2000.
The Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve is an area protected from its flora and fauna and which is situated in Portugal. This large reserve is inhabited by several endangered species and one of them is the Iberian lynx. There are so many trails to hike within the reserve ranging from the forest, meadows, and along rivers. As a wildlife sanctuary and protection for natural habitats of various endangered species, the reserve attracts those interested in observing and learning about the wildlife of the country as well as those who are eager to enjoy the unspoiled outer beauty of Portugal’s nature.
Cultural Festivals and Events
As it has been outlined there are few festivals and events held in Monfortinho that give a theme on cultural practices and celebrations.
Festa de São Sebastião
Amongst all the festivals of Monfortinho, the Festa de São Sebastião is one of the principal religious dances. This religious event is observed earliest in January and entails ceremonies commonly linked with St. Sebastian, such as succosi rituals, processions, and feast. This is a colorful affair which captures a lot of cultural practices of the area and since it includes music, dance and food, it fully captures the essence of a festival. People can come to participate in the festivities and also feel the sunny disposition of the residents.
Handicrafts and Food Festival
Feira de Artesanato e Gastronomia is an attribute that represents a craft and food fair event that takes place annually in the region referred to as Monfortinho. This event spans the local arts and craft work and also provides a platform for the culinary-related products where one can actually buy from the various artisans and also taste the local foods. The fair includes such stalls where everyone can purchase pottery, clothes, honey, and some traditional pastries. It is always a privilege to stand behind the local artists and also give your taste buds a treat.
Getting to Monfortinho
Accessing Monfortinho is not a problem because the following means of transport can be used. Should one start in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, the options of transport include a bus, a car or a train. If coming from Spain the same alternatives are available. It will, therefore, depend on one’s resources in terms of time, money and preference meaning there is no reason as to why one should miss out on this fascinating destination.
Conclusion: Monfortinho, A Perfect Crime Holiday
Monfortinho provides beautiful scenery and a lot of attractions and services related to history and comfort. Although thermal baths are the centerpieces, the town’s other features contribute to a diverse and fulfilling experience. Therefore, it does not matter whether you are coming for a laid-back vacation, physically or thrilling one, Monfortinho will serve you right. Immerse yourself in the romantic atmosphere of this little-known, undiscovered part of the world shared by Portugal and Spain. Monfortinho offers a holiday steeped in the thermal baths and scenic river cruises to ancient monuments and the exuberant festival atmosphere. It is high time to mark the place and go on a tour today and witness all that is beautiful in this magical town.