Penela

Penela is a municipality in the Coimbra region covering around 130 square kilometers in central Portugal. It is administratively divided into four civil parishes and combines rural areas with smaller settlements.

The area was founded in 1137 and developed from an ancient fortification built by Lusitanians and later used by Romans. Architectural remains from these early periods are still visible across the landscape.

The four civil parishes each maintain distinct local traditions expressed through seasonal celebrations. Visitors can witness how traditional crafts and regional products remain woven into the rhythm of community life.

The municipality is well connected by modern roads and has industrial zones with various production facilities. When visiting, it helps to explore the different parishes separately as they are spread across the area.

The area contains a Roman archaeological site at Rabaçal that sat along an ancient trade route. This route once connected what are now Lisbon and Braga, showing the strategic importance of this location in antiquity.