On Sunday, 4 October, starting at 3.00 pm, the Route of the Romanesque and the Municipality of Celorico de Basto will celebrate National Castle Day 2026 in advance with activities at the Castle of Arnoia.

Aimed at the whole family, the planned activities include a short guided tour of the castle and an educational workshop, during which participants will build a paper model of this National Monument.

To round off the event, in addition to a group photograph, there will be a moment set aside for the presentation of the symbolic ‘Castle Guardian Family’ certificate.

The activities are free, subject to prior registration here.

The Castle of Arnoia is located at the top of the ancient land of Basto. It stands out from the landscape as a rocky fortress, with highlight to its keep, the square turret and the cistern.

Below, the old town of Basto (currently known as village of Castelo) – with its pillory, audience house and apothecary (pharmacy) – reminds us of the period when this was a busy place due to the road that connected the Sousa to the Tâmega.

National Castle Day is officially celebrated on 7 October.