History

Sardoal is a very old town, probably formed due to the excellence of the water and relief (hill), natural conditions for man to live.

Unlike other lands that grew around a fortified castle or place, Sardoal village grew from the bottom up, from the confluence of the rivers to the highest point where lies the Convent of Saint Mary of Charity (1571). It will have developed around the ancient Church of St. Matthew, which today no longer exists, and which stood near Igreja of Mercy , around the palace.

The first written document found that proves the importance of Sardoal date of January 11, 1313, by letter of Queen Santa Isabel (Archive of the House), which forced the passengers to come from Beira to Abrantes and Punhete (current Constance) move inside the place of Sardoal to pay tribute.

In 1531 John III raised the Sardoal the village and a year later demarcated by letter, their territorial limits, according to his new condition.

The sixteenth century is regarded as the “golden age” in the history of Sardoal. It was in this century that the Autos of Gil Vicente were written; It was founded the Holy House of Mercy of Sardoal; They were painted the frames of the Master Sardoal (lying on the mother Church ); It was built the Church of Mercy and founded the Convent of Saint Mary of Charity .

The latter monument displays ash brought by sardoalenses that accompanied Vasco da Gama on his second voyage to India. This is just one example that proves the involvement of sardoalenses the Discoveries. They were also present in the achievements of Africa, India and Brazil. These facts are not surprising if we consider that the Lordship of Sardoal belonged to the family of Almeida, the Counts of Abrantes, who at the time held the key of the kingdom governance positions. Note also that the first Viceroy of India, D. Francisco de Almeida, was commander of Sardoal. Between 1807 and 1811 passed through here the Peninsular War, the 1st and 3rd, led by Junot and Massena, respectively.

Finally, we highlight the religious events that take unique features in Sardoal county. The Holy Week with traditional processions and chapels adorned with carpets of natural flowers and vegetables have brought to the county tens of thousands of visitors every year.
For more informations: http://turismo.cm-sardoal.pt/