The Caminho do Xisto de Vila Cova de Alva begins in the town centre and leads through historic streets to a Romanesque bridge over the Rio Alva. This combination of townscape and river landscape gives the journey a clear focus. Rua Quinhentista is considered an outstanding historic feature of Vila Cova de Alva.

A parish with a long history

Until 1836, Vila Cova de Alva was a town and the seat of a municipality. The town’s charter was renewed in 1514 by D. Manuel I and in 1540 by D. João III. The Pelourinho de Vila Cova de Alva is classified as a monument of public interest. In chronological terms, the renewals of the charter mark two earlier milestones; the end of the town’s municipal role followed in 1836. Administrative milestones and tangible evidence of the town’s history thus come together here.

Churches and historic houses

The Igreja Matriz is dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Natividade and is an 18th-century church; it is said to have been completed in 1712. Inside, it has two chapels. The Capela da Misericórdia offers a different point of interest: its Baroque façade dates from the 18th century. The two churches therefore also differ in the details that stand out: the dedication and chapels at the Igreja Matriz, and the design of the façade at the Capela da Misericórdia.

The Convento de Santo António was built between 1713 and 1723; the foundation stone of its church was laid in 1713. The convent is classified as a monument of public interest. The Igreja do Convento preserves a chestnut-wood choir stall with 24 seats arranged in two rows. According to the description, the staircase leading to the church recalls the staircase at Bom Jesus de Braga. The construction period, furnishings and attributed architectural comparison offer different ways to understand the complex.

The houses also display a range of historic details. Casa da Praça dates from the 17th century and formerly housed the town hall, courthouse and prison. At Solar dos Condes da Guarda, the façade of its chapel survives with a coat of arms dated 1629. Solar Abreu Mesquita is a house dating from 1828, with a covered balcony and wooden ornamentation. The buildings differ both in their former functions and in their surviving features: the public uses of Casa da Praça, the chapel façade and coat of arms, or the balcony and wooden details.

Routes and river landscape

The Caminho do Xisto leads from the town centre through historic streets to the bridge over the Rio Alva. The GR21.1 follows a different route: as a linear trail, it connects the schist villages of Vila Cova de Alva, Benfeita and Fajão. This distinction is useful when planning a trip: one route focuses on the way through the town to the river, while the other connects several named villages.

The slopes of Vila Cova de Alva facing the Rio Alva have well-preserved stands of native vegetation. There are also river beaches on the Rio Alva at Vila Cova de Alva. Vila Cova de Alva is part of the Aldeias de Xisto network. A local culinary tradition is also part of the town’s character: since 2006, the Confraria do Bucho has promoted bucho made in Vila Cova de Alva.

Discover other destinations: Benfeita.

Return to the main travel overview: Arganil.