What to see and do in São João da Madeira

São João da Madeira is a city in northern Portugal, in the district of Aveiro and within the metropolitan area of Porto, with a strongly urban character and a stop on the Portuguese Way. Among its highlights: the Santuário da Nossa Senhora dos Milagres, neo-Romanesque and built in the early 20th century; the Museu da Chapelaria, devoted to the town's historic hat-making industry and unique in the Iberian Peninsula; and the emblematic Torre da Oliva.

São João da Madeira is home to vestiges of an ancient occupation, from the hand of relevant cultures in the history of the Iberian Peninsula, such as the Celts, the Romans, the Muslims and the Visigoths. Its first reference in written sources dates back to the 11th century. The city experienced its greatest growth with the industrial revolution in the 19th century.

Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Milagres

It is catalogued in the neo-Romanesque style. It was built in the first third of the twentieth century, thanks to donations from the population of the city.

Chapelaria Museum

The museum is located in an old hat factory (chapéus) in São João da Madeira. Unique in the Peninsula, is intended to commemorate and honor the work of all the workers who made the hat industry, one of the most important activities of the city.

Olive Tower

It is one of the most emblematic points of the city. It is part of the Welcome Center of the Circuitos pelo Património Industrial do concelho in São João da Madeira. www.cm-sjm.pt