It is one of the most ancient of cities of Portugal.
The remains of a very rich historical past are scattered throughout the city. Starting by its name. Chaves has always been an ideal strategic place for various civilizations. In particular, for the Romans, who conquered for two millennia these fertile lands and built fortifications along the periphery, walls to protect the settlements, bridges that led to exploration of minerals and encouraged the use of the boiling springs, a habit that still lingers until today. This locality of Portugal was elevated to city status since the year 79 BC by Titus Flavius Vespasian, then comes the old Roman name Aquae Flaviae, which remains as the name of the inhabitants of this town, "flavienses".
Due to its strategic location and border situation, Chaves has always been the scene of major clashes over the centuries, both in raids by the barbarians, either in wars between Christians and Moors. Only after the year 1160 the city officially incorporates what would be the nation of the Lusitanian and again as a precaution, Dom Dinis, King of Portugal, built a wall and a castle that stands up to the present day. The city is one of those places frozen in time. Every corner, every nook, every granite façade have an ancient history that is perpetuated for centuries and never seem to wear out with the passing years. Strolling through its streets and monuments we can literally trace their origin from almost its beginnings. It is also a green town green, surrounded by the valley of Tamega, a bucolic and romantic postcard one can see from the viewpoint of St. Lawrence. The dining experience is one of the great qualities of this city. The mythical pastel de Chaves, made with puff pastry and meat, is one of the things not to miss, or live without, eaten soon after been out of the oven. The hams and sausages are other crown jewels of this region of the North and finally, the transmotano stew is a delicatessen for any good fork. Just try and let yourself go by the people of the north!
Devido a sua situação fronteiriça e localização estratégica, Chaves foi sempre palco de grandes confrontos ao longo dos séculos, quer nas invasões pelos bárbaros, quer nas guerras entre mouros e cristãos. Só a partir do ano de 1160 esta cidade integra oficialmente o que viria a ser a nação dos lusos e mais uma vez como medida de protecção, D. Dinis, rei de Portugal, mandou construir uma muralha e um castelo que se mantém de pé até os nossos dias. Chaves é daqueles lugares paralisado no tempo. Cada esquina, cada recanto, cada fachada granítica contam uma história antiga que se perpetua por séculos e que parece nunca desgastar-se com a passagem dos anos. Ao passear pelas suas ruas e monumentos podemos literalmente traçar a sua origem desde quase aos seus primórdios. É também uma cidade verdejante, rodeada pelo vale do Tâmega, um postal bucólico e romântico que se pode avistar no miradouro de São Lourenço. As experiências gastronómicas é outra das grandes qualidades desta urbe. O mítico pastel de Chaves, feito com massa folhada e carne, é uma das iguarias a não perder mesmo, mal saído do forno. Os presuntos e os enchidos são outras das joias da coroa desta região do Norte e por último, o cozido á transmontana que fazem as delícias de qualquer bom garfo. Basta provar e deixar-se levar.
