Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco is the main city of the Beira Interior, set on a hill above the plain. It is known for its embroidered quilts, its baroque garden and its Templar origins, and it makes a good base for exploring the historic villages and natural parks of the region.

History and identity

The city grew up around a castle founded by the Knights Templar in the thirteenth century, and its name — White Castle — recalls the pale granite of its walls. In later centuries it became an administrative and religious centre, with a cathedral and a bishop’s palace whose gardens are among its finest monuments.

O que ver e fazer

• The historic centre, with the old walls and the cathedral.
• O Jardim do Paço Episcopal, a baroque garden with statues and azulejo.
• The national museum of Francisco Tavares Proença Júnior, with its embroidered quilts.
• The Barrocal Park, with its granite landscapes and walking trails.

Gastronomy and traditions

Castelo Branco is famous for its embroidery — the colchas de Castelo Branco, worked in silk on linen — and for its regional cheeses and sweets. The city’s fairs and festivals reflect the traditions of the Beira Interior.

Visiting Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco is in the Beira Interior, in central Portugal, reached by road and rail. For museums, gardens and local events, check the official website before your visit.

Informações para visitantes: cm-castelobranco.pt.

Image credit: Castelo Branco, Portugal, by GualdimG, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.