Castelo de Arouce - Lousã

Castelo de Arouce - Lousã

Castelo de Arouce - Lousã
4
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Integrated into the Senhora da Piedade complex, Arouce Castle is part of one of the earliest defensive lines created to control access to Coimbra, first documented in 1087 in the will of D. Sesnando Davides, who ordered the area to be settled. At the beginning of the monarchy, the town, then a border village, played an important role. In 1124, the castle was taken by an Islamic incursion, but it returned to the County of Portugal and was granted a charter in 1151 by D. Afonso Henriques. According to legend, the castle was built by Emir Arunce to protect his daughter and treasures after being expelled from Conimbriga. On April 27, 2019, restoration work on the castle was inaugurated, providing safety and accessibility for visitors. On the same date, an Interpretation and Reception Center was opened, offering information about the castle and local tourism. The castle, classified as a National Monument, is part of the Mondego Castles and Walls Network.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles156 reviews
Excellent
42
Very good
69
Average
37
Poor
7
Terrible
1

escritaideiasd
Odivelas, Portugal189 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Couples
Deixámos o carro a cerca de um quilómetro, porque era dia de romaria da Nossa Senhora da Piedade, e fomos até lá pelo passadiço de beira da estrada, sempre com uma vista magnífica para o vale, as colinas à volta, o castelo, que é apenas uma torre de menagem que emerge do arvoredo de forma fotogénica, e a ermida onde a figura permanece até à altura em que lá estivemos, para passar a pernoitar na vila durante um mês. Pelo menos foi isso que nos contaram. Depois foi a descida até piscina fluvial, com muitas fotos às diversas quedas de água, uma caminhada pela área do santuário e um pequeno percurso no caminho que entra pela floresta adentro em direção às aldeias de xisto, que não fizemos por já serem cinco da tarde. É um dos sítios mais belos onde estive e vale certamente a visita. We left the car about a kilometer away, because it was the day of the Nossa Senhora da Piedade pilgrimage, and we went there along the walkway at the side of the road, always with a magnificent view of the valley, the surrounding hills, the castle, which is just a keep that emerges from the trees in a photogenic way, and the hermitage where the figure remains until the time we were there, to sleep in the village for a month. At least that's what we were told. Then there was the descent to the river pool, with many photos of the different waterfalls, a walk through the sanctuary area and a short journey on the path that goes into the forest towards the shale villages, which we didn’t do because it was already five in the afternoon . It's one of the most beautiful places I've been and is certainly worth a visit.
Written 8 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Whispersthat W
Seattle, WA38 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2023 • Friends
We rode in on motorcycles and stayed in this Castle! What a classy treat after a long beautiful day's ride through the forests and villages of the Serra da Estrella. Hotel staff were extremely helpful and service was excellent. Rooms are dated but not like motel 6 and remember, this place used to be a castle.
Written 23 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

paulette s
Miranda do Corvo30 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017
Well worth a visit, near to a restaurant and a natural swimming pool. Book the restaurant or take a picnic. Arrive early for a parking place.
Written 10 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

doctorbobster
Gainesville, FL980 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2018 • Couples
On the outskirts of Lousa, the Lousa Castle, under renovation when we were there with restricted access, still impresses from its imposing contours and its schist construction. The castle is a short walk to the picnic area, restaurant and pools down the hill.

The Lousa Castle is great piece of local and architectural history; you should check it out.
Written 29 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

HikerDoc21208
Pikesville, MD178 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2017
The history and architecture of this region is unique. Made of schist or slate-like layered earth, forts, castles, communities of houses, a Sanctuary and infrastructure build during the 17-1800's in this mid-mountain region of Portugal. The hike was even better. We started at the Lousa Castle and trekked on single tract trails to the above sites. There are 27 abandoned schist villages of which we hiked to 2. Most recently, the municipality has begun the process of adding infrastructure and re-gentrifying the shells into homes, BnB's, restaurants and outdoor facilities and activities. It all overlooks the Lousa town valley where we stayed in the Palacio de Louisa Boutique hotel. The guide and arrangements were made for us as a personalized tour by Ana of Splendid Evasions, Evaneos Travel.
This a beautiful area to explore and of course, shows how Portugal is flourishing since Dictatorship to its present Democracy.
Written 28 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

RICK B
BILLINGS268 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2017 • Couples
To take this hike/walk is the best way to get to the castle. The trail is well marked and goes past the paper plant (started in the 1700's), numerous ancient old mills, follows a stream that you cross back and forth over, with lush vegetation. There is one steep rocky part, so good walking shoes is advisable. It is about an hour's walk, start at the Town Hall, where a good map is on a public reader board. We took the road back to town, which was a nice walk downhill and gives you wonderful views and beautiful homes to walk past as you get close to down. If you want to have more information on this walk and others you can talk from this area, type in "Walking Tours in Lousa" into your search engine, there was a PDF file that we downloaded that was very complete. We just wish we had more time to do more of the hikes.
The castle itself is a great ancient structure, you can only see it from the outside, there is a locked gate, but really the fun part was the walk to it. Then there is the church and other sites to see from here. We highly recommend this adventure.
Written 17 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John G
80 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017 • Friends
Although the castle not open to public, the nature around the castle is simply breathtaking. We came here just for a quick stop before the start of our hike to the Talasnal Schist villages.
Written 6 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patrícia
A dos Cunhados, Portugal47 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017
This place is so immersed in nature and really beautiful. It's nice to walk around and take pictures, to have a picnic, or just chilling. The sadness part is that the castle is closed, so we can't see the inside. Although it worth the visit from the outside.
Written 11 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John S
Hamilton, New Zealand47 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Mar 2017
Worth a quick stop to understand the historical significance of the area and the strategic position of the castle, it really is a ruin with only the castle keep standing. However , drop down the slope alongside to the Ermida de Nossa Sra. Da Piedade and spend a pleasant hour or two exploring the chapel , picturesque surroundings , note it is hilly and there are a number of steps.
Written 26 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anriahorn
Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa18 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2016 • Solo
I went to the castle as part of a hike in the Serra Lousa. It is quaint and picturesque but not much more than that. It is also very old. Unfortunately you can't go in but I enjoyed it.
Written 23 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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CASTELO DE AROUCE - LOUSÃ - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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