Known since antiquity for its thermal waters, Aquae Flaviae - today Chaves - continues to attract many visitors in search of well-being and health. The compact size of the historic centre and the diversity of its heritage, which spans millennia, make Chaves a great city to explore on foot.
The 5 must-see places to visit on foot in Chaves are a selection of Terra callaECI
Castle of Chaves
The medieval castle, of which part of the wall and the 28-metre keep remain and from which you can enjoy the best view of the city's historic centre, was built on the foundations of the Roman walls that surrounded the town and was later subjected to various alterations. The Chaves Military Museum is currently housed in the keep. General admission €1. Learn more here.
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Church of Santa Maria Maior
Close to the castle is the Chaves Mother Church, which displays a wealth of styles. The medieval, Mannerist and late Baroque church, with a longitudinal floor plan, has three naves and five sections.
The bell tower, portico and some sculptures remain from the medieval building. The interior space retains the original medieval structure, and the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament, attached to the chancel, stands out. Admission is free. Learn more here.
Church of Misericórdia de Chaves
Also in Praça de Camões, you won't want to miss the Misericórdia Church, which has impressive tile decorations inside.
Built in the second half of the 17th century, the church is a fine example of Baroque architecture, characterised by the exuberance, theatricality and movement of its forms. This is evident in the carved motifs on the granite façade and the lavishly decorated gilded altarpiece. Free entry. Learn more here.
Follow Rua Direita street - part of the old Via Romana XVII - to Largo do Arrabalde square. Along the way, stop to admire the colourful balconies of the medieval houses, one of the city's hallmarks.
Museum of the Roman Baths
Classified as a National Monument in 2012, they are the largest and best preserved medicinal baths known in the provinces of Roman Hispania. With an intricate hydraulic system fed by a spring with water at 73 degrees, still functional. Free entry. Learn more here.
Bridge of Trajan
A few metres from the thermal baths is Portugal's oldest bridge, the Bridge of Trajan, also known as the Roman Bridge of Chaves. A remarkable example of Roman engineering and one of the city's main landmarks.
The road linked Bracara Augusta (present-day Braga) to Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga, in Spain).
The bridge was part of the Via Romana XVII, an important route linking Bracara Augusta (present-day Braga) to Asturica Augusta (present-day Astorga, in Spain).
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The route between the castle and the bridge is about 600 metres (not including the return journey). We suggest starting the programme in the morning, when the temperature is milder.
Along the banks of the River Tâmega, take the opportunity to discover the local gastronomy while you recharge your batteries for the return journey.
Tiago Rodrigues
Born in Lisbon, he left the capital for a village in Barroso, where he has developed projects with various local institutions. He is a graphic designer and art editor at UMinho Editora. In 2017, he founded Terra Callaeci, a project dedicated to the promotion of the cultural landscape of Trás-os-Montes, as a construction of the people who inhabited (and inhabit) it.