Overlooking the Ponsul River, Idanha-a-Nova had its origin in a castle erected in 1187, by order of Gualdim Pais. The remains of the ancient strap of medieval walls resist and from its summit it is possible to enjoy a truly spectacular panoramic view. Four centuries later, you can find some of the imposing sacred buildings and manor houses that the village preserves and dominate and mark the main streets.
Stand out the Chapel of Mercy and the Mother Church, of medieval origin that , in the sixteenth century, was still inside the castle. In the vicinity is the Bell Tower or the Clock, which is presumed to have been built with stones from the castle.
Casa Frederico Capelo Manzarra Franco is heir to the Convent of Santo António, a former Franciscan convent of the 17th century converted into a manor. Next to the old convent church is the church of St. Francis of Assisi, of the eighteenth century, both desacralized and converted into agricultural warehouses. Probably belonging to the convent, the chapel of Our Lady of Pains, with façade to the square, is a small Baroque temple that remained linked to catholic worship.
The Palacete das Palmeiras is an old manor house built for the residence of one of the most important terratenentes families. In the early 1990s it was rebuilt and adapted to the current function of Higher School of Management. The city hall building, built in the late 1950s, replaced the old town hall in the historic area and, with the Palacete das Palmeiras, defines the central square of the new area of Idanha.
It is also worth mentioning the old Neighborhoods of Pandricão, primitive nucleus of the village, and the Louceiros, where there are three large community ovens for baking dishes that, although they no longer fulfill their functions, are accessible and in good condition. These structures are an example of an activity that had great importance in the county and that today practically disappeared.
One activity that persists is the manufacture of Adufe. Made in sheep's skin with a wooden frame, this musical instrument is one of the most characteristic handmade pieces of this region, made with the ancestral knowledge of local artisans, as well as by the Arts and Crafts Center. With its own sound, it has its high point in the pilgrimage of the Lady of The Almortão.
In Idanha-a-Nova you can enjoy moments of leisure and tourism in the historical villages of the region, such as Monsanto, in the termes, traveling through the natural parks and hiking trails or visiting the monuments of the municipality.
In gastronomic terms, you can taste the typical dishes of the region. Partdiz de escabeche, stuffed dohós, goat roasted in the oven or fish miga are some of the delicacies that await you in this municipality made of history.
Located in the middle of the Iberian Peninsula, between Lisbon and Madrid, the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova serves the Beira Interior highway (A23) and ic31 to the border of the Monfortinho Termas. It currently has good accessibility to the capital. By the Cória/Navalmoral de la Mata and Cáceres highway, it is only 320 km to Madrid, let alone cáceres, Badajoz and Salamanca. Inside, it presents a network of national and municipal roads in good condition.
Source: Idanha-a-Nova Town Hall