Lousã sits in the heart of the Schist Villages (Aldeias do Xisto) just 25 km southeast of Coimbra and in the centre of several mountain ranges. It is a fantastic base for exploring the Serra da Lousã, Serra da Alcor and the Serra da Estrela Natural Park. The relatively unexplored rivers, mountains and woodlands offer ample opportunities for you to get away from it all and still be just a few minutes away from a lovely town.

Lousã was actually built 2km up the valley, nestled in the hills around the river Arouce. It is believed that the name Lousã is a derivation of Arouce, having been changed over the centuries through dialect.  Much of the historic growth of the town happened in the 18^th Century when the wealthy nobility built imposing buildings with tall facades. You can see family coats-of-arms engraved on the buildings if you pause to take in the architecture.

The town has several intricately decorated chapels and 18^th Century heraldic mansions known as casas brasonadas and it also boasts a Palace (Palacio da Lousã) which was originally built in the 19^th Century and is now an elegant hotel.

The schist villages of Talasnal, Casal Novo, Candal, Chiqueiro and Vaqueirinho  lie on the hillsides of the Serra da Lousã and between these villages it is possible to spot roe deer and wild boar amongst the lush vegetation. These villages are made from a particular type of local rock which is a flaky layered stone that contains elements of Quartz, feldspar and granite which cause it to sparkle and shimmer in the sun giving the houses and villages a unique quality.  More information about the villages and culture can be found on the website www.aldeiasdoxisto.pt , which has an EN tab on right hand side to switch to English.           

There are two museums in Lousã. The Municipal Museum Prof. Álvaro de Lemos has archaeological finds, paintings from the XVII to XX century, coins and pottery.  The  Museu Etnográfico Dr. Louzã Henriques  which is near Lousã central railway station. This museum contains a range of farming and agricultural items and displays on the trades of Blacksmithing, Bee Keeping, Linen, Wool and Bread making. Opening times for the Museu Etnográfico are 9-5.30 weekdays and 10-4 at the weekends. They are closed for lunch between 12.30 and 2pm and all day Monday.

The council website at www.cm-Lousa.pt mentions other places of note in Lousã. The Town Hall Building was built between 1930 and 1934 but takes its architecture from the 18^th Century, fronted by ornamental gardens with low hedges. There are some notable tile panels inside and paintings by João Reis and Carlos Reis (who also designed the fountain in the Rua Dr. Pires de Carvalho).  The Igreja Misericórdia (church) was built in 1568 after King Sebastian gave his license to the Misericórdia Sisterhood in 1566.

The Pillory of Lousã (Pelourinho da Lousã) is rather an oddity. This market-cross-like structure is located close to the Camara buildings. It stands 3.4m high and consists of a red stone cylindrical column unusually topped totum-like with 4 carved human faces joined to each other at the cheeks. The pillory is on a step pedestal and was rebuilt in 1910 with the help of old documents. It was then classified as a national monument.

Lousã is one of those fortunate towns in Central Portugal that has its own railway station.  In fact, it has not one but two! One is located towards the North of the town and one in the centre a little way from the Camara Building. The central railway station opened in 1906 and is one of the most memorable buildings on the track boasting elegant tile panels. Both stations are on the Ramal da Lousã railway line that runs between Coimbra and Serpins.  The line is closed at the moment as it is undergoing major works which include relaying the tracks and electrification of the line to turn it into tramway.

One of the highlights of Lousã is the castle which lies about 2km from the town.

On the hill opposite the castle is the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. This houses three chapels: Our Lady of Pity, Saint John and Our Lady of Agony. The sanctuary includes fifteenth century painted limestone sculptures of Sao Paio and Saint John the Evangelist.

In the valley nearby, there is a river beach know by the same name as the sanctuary – Praia Fluvial de Nossa Senhora da Piedade. Here you will find a picnic area, bar, restaurant, showers and toilets. There is nothing quite like a dip on a hot day, especially if you have taken the 40 minute walk from town to the castle and then visited the Sanctuary.  

Finally, if you are feeling a little more adventurous, the Serra da Lousã mountain range covers over 4,200 hectares with its highest point of 1,202 metres at Alto do Trevim. Among others you will find holly, laurel, birch, holme oak, chestnut, cedar and pine with Cork oak and olive trees on the lower slopes and heathers and gorse dominating the upper slopes. The area is popular for all sorts of recreational activities such as canoeing, cycling and mountain biking, hang-gliding and 4x4 driving.