Attractions and Places To See around Vilar - Top 20

A vast Far Eastern garden has been created here on an area of approximately 35 hectares. In addition to buildings and religious sculptures (especially Buddha statues), visitors will also find replicas of the world-famous Terracotta Army, where thousands of clay warriors guard the tomb of the first Chinese emperor.

At this location at the top of the Serra de Montejunto, also known as "Torre" due to the various antennas that were installed there, is the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, which may have been built in the 13th century and remodelled and expanded during the 16th century and later. Inside, the altars covered with 17th century tiles and the altarpiece of the main altar, from the 18th century, stand out. Next to the Chapel of Our Lady of the Snows, are the ruins of what is considered to be the first Dominican Convent in Portugal, built in the 12th century and abandoned after the extinction of the religious orders, and is currently in ruins. Also nearby are the ruins of the Royal Ice Factory, classified as a National Monument. Here, in the 18th century, the Dominican monks took advantage of the climatic and geological conditions and opened large tanks connected by narrow passages, one part for the production of ice and the other for its preparation, storage and conservation. The ice was later transported to Lisbon, to supply the court and the café at Terreiro do Paço, later known as Martinho da Arcada (Fernando Pessoa's Café)

The Nossa Senhora das Neves Chapel, located at the top of the Serra de Montejunto, has been a place of pilgrimage since the medieval period, prior to the construction of the first Dominican monastery in the 13th century.

The Serra de Montejunto picnic area is next to the Interpretation center and a little further from the campsite. Nearby there is a small bar and toilets.

The Serra do Montejunto Rural Camping Park is located close to the Environmental Interpretation Center and the Real Fábrica do Gelo. With capacity for 90 people, 24 tents and 6 motorhomes, it has sanitary facilities separated by sex, a communal barbecue area and designated areas for washing dishes and drying clothes.

Located in the chestnut woods, it connects the Real Fábrica do Gelo complex and the Environmental Interpretation Centre. The Park has eight tables, with an average capacity of six to eight people per table. As support structures for its use, it has a small bar, toilets and a small playground.

Located in the heart of the Montejunto mountain range, the Montejunto Rural Camping Park has ample shade and capacity for 90 people. Free to use, it has a bar, a tourist reception center and an Environmental Interpretation Centre. https://montejunto.pt/parque-de-campismo-rural-da-serra-de-montejunto/

At the top of the Montejunto mountain range, very close to the chapel of Nossa Senhora das Neves, there are remains of the first convent of the Order of São Domingos in Portugal. Initially built in 1218, shortly after Friar Soeiro Gomes arrived in Portugal, the current ruins are the result of the rebuilding (over the initial convent) that took place in the 18th century, upon the return of the Dominicans. Despite being in ruins, it is a grandiose monument that must be visited, with due care, given the dangers that ruins always contain. Source: Natural.pt Next to the monument, there is a trail called "Calçada dos Frades" that runs along the slope. This cobbled path, which is also thought to be from the 18th century, was opened to serve the construction and use of the Convent of Nossa Senhora das Neves. The path was also used by the friars to access the Real Fabrica do Gelo, located further down, where today there is a laser area and an interpretive center.