Located in the Centre of the country, Penela is the southernmost municipality of the Coimbra district, bordering Ansião, Figueiró dos Vinhos, Condeixa-a-Nova, Miranda do Corvo and Soure. Its name came from the region’s geographic features: Penela is the diminutive of “Penha”, a Celtic word meaning cliff. The Castle originated in an ancient Lusitanian Castro that was also used by the Romans later in the 1st century BC. Dom Afonso Henriques was granted the first charter in 1137 and therefore it is one of the country’s oldest counties.
It is without a doubt the parish that has the most archaeological and historical testimonies. Its antiquity is witnessed by the largest megalithic necropolis in the Municipality, consisting of five monuments, including the Dolmen of the Chapel of Senhora do Monte.
The former municipality of Penela da Beira dates back at least to the mid-eleventh century, which is unusual in Portugal. At the end of the 10th century, this territory fell to the Moors, from which, after 1055 and before 1065, the Leonese King Fernando I, the Great, freed it when entering the Cima/Coa. Thus emerged one of the oldest municipalities in Portugal.
After the extinction of the Municipality of Penela, the parish was included in the municipality of Trevões, which was extinguished on October 24, 1855. It belongs to the Municipality of Penedono, later to that of S. João da Pesqueira, to return to that of Penedon in 1898.
Places of interest:
Dolmen of the Chapel of Senhora do Monte
Dolmen of Carvalhal
Roman Sidewalk
Church of N. Senhora do Pranto
Chapel of N. Senhora da Piedade
Chapel of S. Sebastião
Chapel of S. Tirso
Chapel of S. António
Chapel of Senhora do Monte
Sepultura
Festivals and pilgrimages: N. Sra. da Piedade and Senhor da Aflição
Other places of tourist interest: Anta da Senhora do Monte (National Monument) Cabeço Alto, Monte do Pendão and Reboledo, Maria Garcia Forest Park, the Ethnographic Museum, Lugar de Britelo, Santo Tirso and Castedal
