Gonçalo

Historical Patrimony of Gonçalo: Gonçalo has an important architectural heritage. First and foremost is its religious architectural heritage, which includes its 16th century parish church with an imposing Baroque-style main altar, built in the second half of the 17th Century. The Capela do Espírito Santo (Chapel of the Holy Spirit), rebuilt from an old Romanesque chapel, with a beautiful main entrance.  The Capela do Calvário (Calvary Chapel), with a beautiful 16th century façade and porch. The Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia Chapel, rebuilt in the early 19th century (1807), in the João V architectural style, from a small original chapel. The parish church of Seixo Amarelo, with 18th century ceiling paintings which show, on its sides, four angels and four atlantes (figures of strong men holding vases of roses) and, in the centre, the marks of a rectangle where the image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of the Conception), the local patron saint, was supposedly painted. However, the heritage goes far beyond religious buildings. Its constant vibrancy and the wealth of the town can be seen in the strong stone buildings in the centre of the town and numerous porches and balconies with elaborate wrought iron railings, an outward sign of the wealth of their owners. Of the architectural complex in the town's historic centre, the manor houses of the Cunha Leal Family and the former headquarters of the Fire Department, two beautiful examples of late 18th century architecture, are particularly outstanding.Natural Patrimony: The parish of Gonçalo is located at the bottom of Serra da Estrela, in a magnificent valley that leans over the basin of the Zêzere River. It has a unique climate within the region, very propitious for the spontaneous growth of wicker and osier (the raw material for basketwork), along with the multiple streams that intersect the valley towards the river.  The mountains of Gonçalo, despite being affected by wildfires over the last few decades, are favourable to the growth of the native black oak. In fact the black oak is precisely the main heraldic symbol of the parish, representing the Grande Carvalho (Great Oak) or the Santo Carvalho (Holy Oak), as some people also call it, a true natural wonder, a centenarian specimen that has been classified as a species of public interest by the ICNF (National Nature Conservation Institute), being a starting and finishing point for those who have faith in Senhora da Misericórdia (Lady of Mercy), to whose cult this tree is closely linked, sadly lost in the last wildfire in 2022.Festivities and Pilgrimages in Gonçalo: As in most other Portuguese places, the festivities are dominated by religious celebrations. In Gonçalo the festivities in Honour and Praise of Nossa Senhora da Misericórdia (Our Lady of Mercy), which take place on September 7th and 8th, are particularly important. It's the parish's main celebration, the meeting point for all the people of Gonçalo from across the country and around the world. The highlight is the impressive candlelight parade on the September 7th, which brings together thousands of pilgrims and visitors. During Easter, the most important events are the magnificent processions of Senhor dos Passos e Enterro do Senhor held on Good Friday.