Marvão is a great place to buy quality local crafts and local delicacies. Look out for the O Poial da Artesã craft shop, it's a treasure trove of local ceramics, wickerwork and local curiosities. The weather-beaten pillory (Pelourinho) standing on a four-stepped pedestal is a remnant from the past where Regal justice was once metred out.

Igreja de Santa Maria & Municipal Museum

The 15th-century church of Santa Maria has been home to Marvão's municipal museum since November 1987, following a period of refurbishment. The exhibit inside is an interesting collection of artefacts from different periods of Marvão's existence, including a range of Roman artefacts. Outside are well-manicured gardens that are an ideal spot to admire the panoramic views. .
Tuesday - Sunday: 09h00 – 12h30/14h00 - 17h30, Monday: CLOSED
Adult: €1.30, Child & Concessionary: €0.75
Igreja de Santa Maria, Largo de Santa Maria, 7330-101 Marvão, Portalegre, Portugal.
39° 23' 40.4" N | 07° 22' 40.6" W
+351 245 909 132 | museu.municipal@cm-marvao.pt

Marvão's impregnable terrain and commanding location over its surroundings make it a natural choice for building a castle, a fact taken advantage of for thousands of years. The formidable fortifications you can see now date back mostly to the 15th and 17th centuries. The Castle is built on top of a 13th-century original, which in places, was built into the living rock. The views from this vantage point are breathtaking, even more so from the top of the castle keep, the Torre de Menagem. Just inside the entrance is a huge vaulted cistern, designed to withhold a siege lasting six months and today is still full of water.

The castle has played a fundamental role in many military conflicts during its lifetime, including the war between king D. Dinis and his brother D. Afonso in 1299 AD, the Dynastic Crisis of 1383-85, the Restoration Wars 1640-68, the War of Spanish Succession 1704-12 and the Peninsular Wars 1807-11. However, the castle was captured only once, in 1833, when the attackers entered through a secret gate. The castle's military history is explained in greater detail in the Núcleo Museológico Militar museum found within the walls.

10h00 - 13h00/13h30 - 17h00 Tuesday - Sunday, Monday: CLOSED
Castle: FREE | Museum: Adult: €1.00, Child: €0.80
Rua do Castelo 7330, Marvão, Portugal. | 39° 23' 45.2" N | 07° 22' 44.5" W

Following the Punic wars in the second century, BC Rome acquired lands in Iberia which belonged to the defeated Carthaginians. Capitalising on this gain the Romans slowly expanded their lands northwards into the Lusitanian territory. Romans who settled at Marvão knew the town as Herminio Minor in honour of its strategic position. The largest Roman settlement in the area was established at the present-day parish of São Salvador da Aramenha, known as Ammaia, around three miles south of Marvão on the Portalegre road. It was founded in the first century AD, most likely under the reign of Claudius. Archaeological evidence suggests the town was intensively settled around the reign of Augustus, with possibly up to 6000 inhabitants.

Today sheep graze across the ruins which include parts of the south gate, a bath complex, forum and temple. A small museum occupies the kitchen and basement of an old Roman villa. The museum is jam-packed full of finds from the site.

09h00 – 12h30, 14h00 – 17h30 | Adult: €3.00, Concessionary: €1.50
4 Estr. da Calçadinha, São Salvador da Aramenha, Portugal. | 39° 22' 09.6" N | 07° 23' 11.1" W
+351 245 919 089 | Website

In the valley below Marvão where the river Sever flows you will find the village of Portagem, which means "Toll". Here there is a defensive tower and Roman bridge, in times passed travellers were charged to cross. The name of the Roman Bridge is misleading, although it utilises some of the original Roman stone blocks it was rebuilt and widened in the 16th century. The best way to reach the village and bridge from Marvão walking eight kilometres along a footpath, which itself is ancient and contains medieval cobbles in places.

Praia Fluvial de Portagem

Next to the Roman bridge is a natural swimming pool which brings great relief on the hottest days of summer. Here the Rio Sever is tamed for safe family bathing. The river beach forms part of a network of municipal pools complete with amenities.
3 Rua da Ponte Romana, Portagem, Portugal. | 39° 22' 58.3" N | 07° 22' 47.7" W