Explore Santa Marta through its specific historic sites and routes of varying scope. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish local attractions along the Caminhos do Cavalum from the overall length of a route. This lets you decide whether to focus on local history and riverside scenery, or on the Itinerário 3 as a whole.

Church and prehistoric tomb

The Igreja de Santa Maria in Santa Marta has been classified as a National Monument since 16 June 1910. If you are interested in monuments with a specific date, it offers a precise historical reference point.

The Anta de Santa Marta is located on Rua da Anta in Portela do Monte, Santa Marta, Penafiel. It is a prehistoric tomb, also known as the Dólmen da Portela or Forno dos Mouros. These three names refer to the same anta; the address pinpoints its location more precisely. This brings two distinct historical topics together: the dated classification of the Igreja de Santa Maria and the prehistoric tomb.

The Caminhos do Cavalum and its attractions

The Caminhos do Cavalum begins on the banks of the Cavalum River and leads to ancient necropolises and the Anta de Santa Marta. The landscape and prehistoric burial sites are among the explicitly named features of this route. If you are interested in the anta, you can consider it both as a historic site in its own right and as part of the route.

The circular route also leads to the ruins of the Moinhos de Santa Marta. The Caminhos do Cavalum also leads to the medieval Cavalum Bridge, which once connected communities. Along this same route, prehistoric burial sites, mill ruins and the history of a medieval crossing come together. Check the condition of the mill ruins before your visit.

Distinguishing between routes

The Itinerário 3 offers a different framework: it passes through Santa Marta and is 43 km long in total. This figure refers to the overall length of the Itinerário. The Caminhos do Cavalum, by contrast, is defined by the specific attractions along the way. The comparison answers two different planning questions: the Itinerário 3 places Santa Marta within a route; the Caminhos do Cavalum leads to named historic and natural attractions.

Which perspective matters more for your trip depends on whether you want to focus primarily on the local attractions mentioned or on the full route.

Another activity to consider

The Centro Hípico de Penafiel has a riding arena more than 600 metres long. For equestrian enthusiasts, this length is a specific point of reference; it describes the facility, while the Caminhos do Cavalum and the Itinerário 3 provide orientation through their respective route and trail details.

Discover more destinations: Abragão, Galegos, Novelas, Figueira, Penafiel, Oldrões, Canelas, Portela.

Back to the main travel overview: Penafiel.