Amarante

Before the monastery existed, here was a chapel, erected by São Gonçalo de Amarante. In 1540, it was transformed into a large monastery with the construction of a Dominican convent in honor of São Gonçalo, with authorization and help from D. João III and his wife, Rainha Dª Catarina. The construction of the Church and the Convent ended in the time of Philip I, before 1600. The construction of the portico and the Balcony of the Kings began on October 12, 1683. In the church, the tomb of São Gonçalo stands out, a magnet for several pilgrims.

True symbol of the city, it connects two Largo de Amarante, including Praça da República, where you can find the monastery, another symbol. Before this bridge, a national monument, there was another one, dating from the 13th century and which was destroyed by a flood of the Tâmega River. In the middle of the bridge there was a cruise, taken an hour before the tragic event, which can still be seen in one of the windows of the Monastery of São Gonçalo. The current one was built in the 17th century. In 1809 it was the stage for the heroic Defence of the Amarante Bridge, an episode resulting from the French Invasions. In memory of this event, there is a commemorative plaque on the north side of the bridge.

The Municipal Library is the result of the former Santa Clara Convent, perhaps built in the 13th century. The most likely date, however, will be 1383, when D. João I granted the letter of protection for religious women. It was set on fire in April 1809 during the French Invasions. It was later transformed into the building that today is seen by an emigrant from Brazil - not without prolonged archaeological research, which exposed many artefacts. Nowadays it is the Municipal Archive and Library of Amarante.

It was founded in 1947 by Albano Sardoeira to gather materials from the history of Amarante. Over the years, he specialized in contemporary art, bringing together one of the most important collections in the country, which includes works by Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso, António Carneiro, Jaime Isidoro, Nadir Afonso, Rui Pimental and Cargaleiro.

Next to the monastery, at the top of a gigantic staircase, you can find a small church dedicated to the Lord of the Afflicted. It is better known as Igreja de São Domingos, because it was built at the behest of the Order of São Domingos at the beginning of the 18th century. Baroque style, in the 17th-century style, it has a beautiful chancel covered with gilded woodcarving.

Once the site of a small chapel dedicated to São Martinho, the Church of São Pedro belonged to the Brotherhood of Clérigos de São Pedro. It has a beautiful chancel from the 18th century, by António Gomes. The altar has a very rich gilt carving, with columns that frame the images of São Pedro and São Paulo. At the top of the tower are the papal cross and tiara.

These are some ruins of the 18th century, set on fire in 1809 by Napoleon's armies, during the French Invasions, as a reprisal for the prolonged resistance of the Amarantines. Once a majestic manor house, it sits on a row of arches, topped by a colonnade.

Glide on one of the many slides or other diversions in the only water park in the north of the country! An adult ticket costs €10 on weekends and €8 on other days.