Águas de Moura brings together the history of malaria research, traces of local social life, architecture, and a significant natural symbol. If you are looking for a hotel, these highlights can help you choose a destination: the Tanque Público represents community life, the Igreja de Águas de Moura reflects 1960s design, and the Sobreiro Assobiador represents the town’s natural heritage.
Arriving by train
Águas de Moura railway station is on the Linha do Sul. If you plan to travel by train, check current services and passenger transport before your trip, as information about the station and passenger services may change. This helps keep your travel plans aligned with the operating conditions in effect at the time.
Local history and architecture
The Tanque Público dates from 1899 and is considered a well-preserved testament to local social life and women’s work over many decades. Its construction date and social significance point to different timescales: a specific year of origin on the one hand, and community life over decades on the other.
Another architectural landmark is the Igreja de Águas de Moura. Its design dates from the 1960s, and its tower is topped by a stork’s nest. The town’s two cultural references thus differ: the Tanque Público is associated with social life and women’s work, while the church is associated with the design of a particular era and a distinctive feature on its tower.
Malaria research as a local theme
The first site of the Museu da Saúde is dedicated to the eradication of malaria in Portugal; it opened in Águas de Moura on 6 August 2009. The town’s history also includes research conducted in the 1950s: it took place mainly in Águas de Moura under the leadership of Francisco Cambournac at the then Instituto de Malariologia (IM).
The collection of the Núcleo Museológico da Malária de Águas de Moura includes laboratory, entomological, and documentary materials from the former Instituto de Malariologia. These different groups of materials can be understood as distinct aspects of the history of science: laboratory work, entomological research, and documentary records. Together with the historical period of research, they create a specific local connection to the history of malaria that goes beyond the dedication of the Museu da Saúde.
Natural landmarks and cultural program
The Sobreiro Assobiador is a significant natural symbol of Águas de Moura. It offers a different focus from the buildings and the history of research: visitors who also consider connections with nature when choosing a destination will find a distinctive local feature here.
The cultural program “Noites na Fonte” can be viewed in the context of a specific past edition. Another edition took place on 12 and 13 September 2025 in the area next to the Fonte Centenária de Águas de Moura. On the second evening, the program included the lyrical concert “As três Sopranas - I´m the star of the night!!!” by Associação Setúbal Voz. On 12 September, there was also the closing performance of the “Percussão” project by Mar a Tocar, accompanied by the Coro Comunitário de Águas de Moura, as well as João da Ilha, As Tucanas, and Ana Santos. This edition brought together different musical formats within a dated cultural program.
For the broader travel overview: Marateca.
