With many delightful courses, pure coastal breeze from the Atlantic ocean, great fresh gastronomy and fantastic weather conditions, the Chaves is a Golf Bliss for most golfers.
Portugal Golf - Chaves
Chaves History
Chaves or �Aquae Flaviae� as named by the Romans 78 AD after their discovery of
the thermal springs and nearby gold deposits. Its fertile surroundings and
strategic position marked its early history with various battles and sieges
between wandering tribes. The Portuguese eventually took possession of the town
from the Moors in 1160. The town was given to Nuno �lvares Pereira by King Jo�o
I as a reward for defeating the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
General Silveira in 1809 defeated General Soult with his French invading army
here at Chaves and this was the first victory for the Portuguese against the
intruders. After the Republicans took control of Portugal in the early 20th
Century the city was subject to a failed attack in 1912 from Royalists based in
Spain. In 1483 the first published book in the Portuguese language, the
"Sacramental", was produced in this town.
Chaves Description
This City is situated in the upper reaches of the Rio T�mega that runs to the
south and east to Porto. Its present day fame lies in its reputation as a Spa
Town and the local produced cured hams. The old part of town is to be found
around the main square with the ruins of a 14th Century Keep. This is all that
remains of the former fine castle built for Nuno �lvares Pereira. The walls of
the fortress are a fine example of the principles used by the French military
defensive architect Count de Vauban. Of the two churches standing on the square
the Miseric�dia is probably the most interesting with its large 18th Century
tiled panels depicting scenes from the Bible. In the Keep is a small museum with
armour and memorabilia of the 1912 attack. The Museu da Regi�o Flaviense
displays an interesting collection of items from local archaeological sites. The
fine sixteen-arched Roman bridge (four arches are hidden from view), spanning
the Rio T�mega is from the period of the Roman development of the town by
Emperor Trajan. Close to the centre is one of the warmest natural springs Spas
to be found in Europe with the water reaching up to 73� C (163�F).
Chaves Nearby Locations
The City is bordered to the west by the beautiful remote region of Serra do
Barroso and its ancient main town of Montalegre. Here the visitor will find a 27
meter high Keep of the 14th Century ruined castle. The small village of Boticas
with its associated Spa of Carvalheiros is located closer to Chaves and has an
unusual custom. During the invasion of the French army in 1809 the local
inhabitants buried their locally produced wine in the ground rather than let it
fall into the hands of the enemy. After the departure of these invaders the wine
was retrieved and found to have improved in quality. It was nicknamed �vinho dos
mortos� (wine of the dead), and this practice has now become a routine leaving
the wine underground for a period of about two years. The popular Spa Town of
Vidago lies to the southwest of Chaves and even further south is another popular
Spa named Pedras Salgadas. At the small village of Soutelo that lies close to
the west of Chaves is a strange 50 meter long boulder covered in strange
hieroglyphs that perhaps is from Celtic times.
Chaves Information 276 340 500 - Town Hall 276 324 080 - Fire Brigade 276 323 125 - Police 276 333 029 - Tourist Office 276 322 112 - Emergency Treatment 808 208 208 - Railways (CP) 800 296 296 - Support to Tourists 112 - SOS
Chaves Locations of Interest
Military Museum
Museum of Region of Flaviense
Castle of Chaves
Church of Miseric�rdia
Forte de S�o Francisco
Forte de S�o Neutel
Tower - Torre de Menagem
Archaeological Sites - (Boticas)
Archaeological Sites - (Chaves)
Archaeological Sites - Povoado da Pastoria (Chaves)
Archaeological Sites - (Montalegre)
Castle - (Monforte de Rio Livre)
Castle - (Montalegre)
Roman Site - (Vilarandelo)
Town - (Montalegre)
Alto Rabag�o Dam - (Montalegre)
Thermal Spa - (Vidago)
Portugal Golf
276 340 500 - Town Hall
