Amonde brings together historical and landscape-related themes: the early history of Santa Maria de Amonde, traditional wool fabrics, Ponte de Tourim and mining heritage. A walking route also leads from Vile to Amonde. This offers different ways to plan your trip, with church and architectural history alongside crafts, mining and river scenery.

Church and Wool Tradition

The earliest known mention of Santa Maria de Amonde dates to the 10th century, when the church was called “Onomondi.” A church record from 1580 described it as affiliated with the Monastery of São Salvador da Torre. The early name and the later ecclesiastical affiliation provide two distinct historical reference points for the church.

Fraldilha and burel wool fabrics were traditionally made in Amonde: fraldilha was made from black wool, and burel from white wool. Their color distinction sets the two fabrics apart and offers a tangible point of interest for anyone interested in traditional crafts.

Bridge and Mining History

Today’s Ponte de Tourim retains a medieval bridge profile and dates to an early modern reconstruction, probably from the 17th or 18th century. Its profile and construction phase should be distinguished: the profile points to a medieval form, while the reconstruction dates to a later period. The bridge is also the Amonde-side endpoint of a documented walking route along the Rio Âncora.

In Lugar de Tourim-Amonde, the Mina de Tourim is associated with mining activity documented there since Roman times. The Serra de Amonde is part of a natural monument associated with the Folgadoiro-Verdes mining area. The mining theme can therefore be explored from two perspectives: the historical activity at the Mina and the natural monument’s connection to the landscape.

The Fulão do Amonde is also part of the local heritage. It is considered a nationally rare, one-of-a-kind example associated with an activity in the Rio Âncora basin. The facility has been out of operation for decades.

Rio Âncora: Walking Route and Riverbanks

A walking route documented on April 11, 2026, follows the Rio Âncora from Ponte de Abadim in Vile to Ponte de Tourim in Amonde. Estates, mills and watermills lie along the route, and waterfalls can sometimes be seen. Ponte de Tourim thus features in two distinct contexts: as a bridge with a medieval profile and as the endpoint of the route in Amonde.

There are mills along the banks of the Rio Âncora in Amonde, and the spots used by bathers are considered pleasant. If you plan to go for a swim, check the conditions locally. This lets you consider the walking route and riverside spots as two different ways to experience the river when planning your trip.

Getting There and Finding Accommodation

The EN 305 is designated as an access route to Amonde. When looking for a hotel in Amonde, it helps to decide first what interests you most: church and architectural history, mining or the river route?

Discover more destinations: Germil, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Alvarães, Torre, Lanhelas, Pinheiros, Ermida, Vitorino Dos Piães

For the broader travel overview: Viana Do Castelo.