Freixo de Espada à Cinta in 3D

Freixo de Espada à Cinta is a municipality in the district of Bragança, in the Douro sub-region of northern Portugal, right on the Spanish border. It covers about 244 km² and, according to Wikipedia, had 3,139 inhabitants in 2023, spread over four parishes. The Douro runs through the territory, which lies within the Douro Internacional Natural Park. The parishes are Freixo de Espada à Cinta e Mazouco, Lagoaça e Fornos, Ligares and Poiares.

Visitors come mainly for the town's Manueline heritage, the landscapes of the Douro Internacional and local traditions such as silk. It borders Mogadouro, Torre de Moncorvo and Vila Nova de Foz Côa, as well as Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo and the Spanish region of Castilla y León.

What to see in the town

• Igreja Matriz (Church of São Miguel): a 16th-century Manueline church built in the reign of King Manuel I. The historian Reynaldo dos Santos called the town «the most Manueline in Portugal».
• Heptagonal Tower, known as the Torre do Galo: a remnant of the medieval castle, with a seven-sided plan.
• Pillory and Manueline windows, which the municipal tourism office lists among the sights of the historic centre.
• Museu da Seda e do Território (Silk and Territory Museum), devoted to an activity the municipality continues to promote.
• Igreja da Misericórdia, among other churches and chapels in the town.

Viewpoints, river and nature

Penedo Durão, at about 550 metres above sea level, is described as the best-known viewpoint of the Douro Internacional. Other vantage points include Cruzinha, Carrascalinho (near Fornos) and Colado. The municipality also lists the Congida river beach, walking trails and boat trips on the Douro Internacional. In Mazouco you will find rock engravings, including the well-known Cavalinho de Mazouco. As for relief, Wikipedia mentions the Lagoaça (884 m) and Porrinhela (832 m) mountains.

Flavours and traditions

The municipality highlights wine, olive oil and honey. Visit Portugal also mentions almonds and almond sweets, asparagus soup, roast kid and olive-oil bread. Among local traditions, the Procissão dos Sete Passos takes place at midnight on the Fridays of Lent. The poet Guerra Junqueiro (1850–1923) was born in Ligares, one of the municipality's parishes, and the municipality's patron saint is São Miguel Arcanjo (Saint Michael the Archangel).

When to go

Visit Portugal points to spring for the almond trees in bloom. Those interested in religious traditions may choose Lent, for the Procissão dos Sete Passos. The municipal holiday is the Monday after Easter Sunday. For activities such as boat trips, it is best to check conditions with the municipal tourism office.

Where to stay

Our catalogue lists 13 places to stay in this municipality: 9 in the town of Freixo de Espada à Cinta and 3 in Mazouco. The ratings shown come from Booking.com guests. See the accommodation on this page.