Póvoa de Lanhoso is one of the most important centres of handicraft production of the world famous Portuguese filigree.
Filigree is the art of working gold and silver through delicate threads of these materials, finely intertwined and juxtaposed, forming works of high complexity, form and aesthetic wealth.
A few kilometres from the Rural Hotel Vila Joaquina, in the neighbouring parishes of Travassos and Sobradelo da Goma, you can find and visit several filigree workshops. In Travassos there is a Gold Museum, and in the Tourism Office of Póvoa de Lanhoso you will find several useful information.
Póvoa de Lanhoso – Traditional goldsmithery
Located in the parishes of Travassos and Sobradelo da Goma, very close to the Rural Hotel Vila Joaquina, the traditional jewellery workshops are an ex-libris of Póvoa de Lanhoso. A visit to the Gold Museum in the parish of Travassos stands out and is suggested. Pieces made here can be found in the jewellery shops of Póvoa de Lanhoso, almost all with their own workshops, and are the best shopping of local handicrafts.
Gold Museum – Located in Travassos (6.5 km / 10 mnts from the Rural Hotel Vila Joaquina), in the municipality of Póvoa de Lanhoso with a long tradition in the production of traditional jewellery, this museum is the result of the efforts of a goldsmith from Travassos, Francisco de Carvalho e Sousa, who, over 50 years of activity, collected gold objects, utensils, furniture and bibliography related to art. The Museum is housed in an old jewellery workshop of the Casa de Alfena (now converted into a Housing Tourism unit), and is part of a group of old workshops, the most recent of which dates back to 1742. Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. More information on the site Museu do Ouro.
Oficina do Ouro – Located in Sobradelo da Goma (8.5 km / 15 mnts from the Rural Hotel Vila Joaquina), it is also a place where you can visit and get to know the techniques of artisan filigree production. Request a visit to the website of Oficina do Ouro.
In the Turismo de Póvoa de Lanhoso (Tourist office) you will find permanent exhibitions and more detailed information about this extraordinary art. See also the website of Câmara Municipal de Póvoa de Lanhoso.