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Located on a fertile lowland crossed by three affluents of the river Mondego, Soure was the stage of frequent devastations and struggles between Moors and Christians during the Middle Ages, and its castle and monuments reflect a rich and agitated history; the county's lands are extremely fertile and produce rice, wine, olive oil, corn and potatoes.
At the town of Soure it is worth visiting the Castle, the Town Hall (neo-Manueline style), the Mother Church (1490), the Chapel of Saint Matthew and several estates with stately mansions in the neighbourhood.
At about six kilometres from Soure, the tiny town of Vila Nova de Anços was the seat of a county abolished in the 19th century but preserves with pride several monuments, such as the Manueline pillory, the palace of the Dukes of Cadaval, the 15th-century Mother Church (in ruins), a 17th-century stone cross and the Miserichord Church, among others.
As for the local gastronomy, the sponge-cake and olive oil biscuits of Soure are the most popular specialities, as well as the home-made Rabaçal cheese from the mountain village of Degracias.
The annual festival and fair in honour of Soure's patron saint, Saint Matthew, is held every September and is a lively and colourful event.
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Manor & Farm Houses (2) |
Local Lodging (1) |