Today we visited Castelo Novo, one of the most beautiful small villages of Portugal. As we arrived you could see the ancient village road sign in stone. You can still find these old stone signs in several old villages.
We parked the car in a shaded area just before entering the village to walk next to the Cruzeiro (stone cross).
The view of the green valley was amazing. The village is next to Gardunha mountains and the weather there, although quite hot, was not as burning as the area where we have the farm. I noticed a small rock below the stone cross. It was called Cabeço de Forca (Gallows head)
There were two skulls sculpted on the rock, together with signs of the places where the wood poles were placed.
We then drove an additional kilometer to park ia a small square next to the tourist office where we asked for a village map and the places to visit.
The whole village is like an ancient middle ages town full of small tiny houses you fall in love with.
We walked by the ancient city hall building where they were setting up some kind of artisan festival.
It was another hot summer day, but luckily the village was full of fountains where you could refresh.
After an additional 5 minute uphill walk we reached the castle ruins with an initial sign explaining the history behind it
It was nice to read all the panels describing the different areas.
On our way down the castle we saw the ancient winery, with a circle sculpted on a rock where we stepped over the grapes to have the liquid spur over the rocks.
Before leaving we stoped in the river beach to have a drink and take a refreshing dive.
