Page 217 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

The greatest attraction is the
Jardim Episcopal beside the
former bishop’s palace. Created
by Bishop João de Mendonça in
the 18th century, the garden’s
layout is conventionally formal;
its individuality lies in its dense
population of statues. Baroque
in style and often bizarre in
character, stone saints and
Apostles line the box-edged
paths, lions peer at their reflec-
tions in pools and monarchs
stand guard along the grand
balustrades – the hated
kings of the 60-year Spanish
rule conspicuously half-size.
The 17th-century Paço
Episcopal itself now houses the town centre stands a Decorative pool in
the Museu Francisco Tavares 15th-century cross known the Jardim Episcopal,
Proença Júnior. Its wide- as the Cruzeiro de São João. Castelo Branco
ranging collection includes
archaeological finds, displays Jardim Episcopal
of 16th-century tapestries " ⌂ Rua Bartolomeu da
and Portuguese primitive Costa # Daily
art. Castelo Branco is also
well known for its fine silk- Museu Francisco Tavares EAT
embroidered bedspreads, Proença Júnior
called colchas, and examples " ⌂ Largo Doutor José
of these are also exhib ited in Lopes Dias § 272 344 277 Dom Sancho I
the museum. # 10am–1pm, 2–6pm Tue– The open fireplace at
Housed in two buildings Sun ¢ 1 Jan, Easter, 1 May, this stone-walled
(one old and one modern), the 25 Dec restaurant in the old
popular Museu Cargaleiro town is warm and
has a remarkable collection of Museu Cargaleiro welcoming. The menu
rare paintings, tapestries and " ⌂ Rua dos Cavaleiros 23 includes local delicacies
ceramics, donated by the § 272 337 394 # 10am–1pm, such as hare with rice,
Manuel Cargaleiro Foundation. 2–6pm Tue–Sun ¢ 1 Jan, rabbit and wild boar.
Beside the road back towards Easter, 25 Apr, 1 May, 25 Dec ! F3 ⌂ Largo do Corro,
Sortelha § 271 388 267
¢ Sun D, Mon
¡¡¡
Pousada do
Convento de
Belmonte
A beautiful restaurant
with original stone
features and wonderful
mountain views. The
gourmet dishes on the
tasting and à la carte
menus are equally
impressive.
! F3 ⌂ Serra da
Esperança, Belmonte
∑ conventode
belmonte.pt
¡¡¡

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