About this place
Torre de Novões (also spelled Torre de Nevões) is a historic residential tower in Tabuado, in the municipality of Marco de Canaveses, northern Portugal. Together with its annex building, it forms a protected cultural heritage site.
What is this place?
Torre de Novões is a former single-family house of the tower type. Its core is a Manueline tower, built in Portugal's late-Gothic style of the late 15th and early 16th centuries. A residential wing from the 17th and 18th centuries was added later. The ensemble shows how the needs of its owners changed over time, from a defensive-looking house to a comfortable residence.
What does the building look like?
The plan is complex, made up of two bodies arranged in an L shape. One of them is the crenellated tower. On the south-east side it joins a projecting residential block, and on the north-east side it connects to another body of similar shape.
The tower has a four-sided roof. Five gargoyles sit at the top, and Manueline merlons crown every facade. This is the detail that most draws the eye of visitors looking at the tower from outside.
Heritage status
Since 1977 the site has held the status of Immovable Property of Public Interest (Imóvel de Interesse Público). The official name of the monument also covers the annex building next to the tower.
How is it used today?
The estate operates as a tourist complex. It includes a reception building, a set of apartments and bungalows for guests, and leisure facilities: a tennis court, a swimming pool, a riding school and a track for motor sports. Check current access rules before visiting, since this is an accommodation venue rather than a classic museum.
Where is it?
The tower stands in Tabuado, in Marco de Canaveses, in the Douro and Tâmega area of Porto district. The coordinates are roughly 41.1947 N, 8.1081 W. The region is known for vineyards, green valleys and many Romanesque and Manueline monuments, so the tower fits well into a day trip around the area.
Frequently asked questions
What period is the tower from? The tower is Manueline in style, while the added residential wing dates from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Can you stay overnight? Yes, the estate hosts a tourist complex with apartments and bungalows.
Is the site protected? Yes, it has held public-interest status since 1977.
What do Novões and Nevões mean? They are two spellings of the same name; the official monument name lists both.
Nearby places
Earn badges for the places you visit
Download NextOnTrip, discover new places and check off your trails.