Treasures of the North: Chacim, Where Silk Was Gold

Azeite a Norte Blog
Apr 11
5 min read

📍 Macedo de Cavaleiros • Serra de Bornes • Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark

There are villages that were once large and chose to keep that past quiet. Chacim, at the foot of the Serra de Bornes mountain range in Macedo de Cavaleiros, was a municipal seat until 1853 and the capital of the silk industry in Trás-os-Montes. Today, the ruins of the Royal Silk Mill from 1788, the medieval bridges, and the sound of the stream that runs through the village tell a story that few know—and that deserves to be discovered.

If you're looking for a getaway off the beaten track, with nature, history and authentic Transmontane cuisine, Chacim awaits you in the heart of the Geopark Terras de Cavaleiros da UNESCO.

The Village Where Time Stood Still (and It Was Good That It Stopped)

Chacim has historical references dating back to 1110, predating the very foundation of Portugal. It belonged to D. Nuno Martins, tutor of D. Dinis, and for centuries was a significant economic and administrative center in the Northeast of Trás-os-Montes.

Today, you'll be greeted by granite houses, narrow streets where the silence is only broken by the water of the stream, the medieval bridges of Bairrinho and Paradinha, and the pelourinho classified as a Property of Public Interest. A village to walk slowly, to look at the details and realize that time here has a different rhythm.

Real Filatório de Chacim: When Silk Driven the Economy

The landmark of Chacim is a building that surprises with its scale in such a small place: the Royal Silk Mill, dating from 1788 and classified as a Property of Public Interest. These ruins are direct evidence of the European sericulture industry — the silks produced here were recognized throughout the country for their unparalleled quality.

The Interpretive Center installed on the site allows visitors to understand, through guided tours, the entire transformation chain: from silkworm to thread, from thread to fabric, from fabric to the wealth that for centuries defined the identity of this village [1].

Historical curiosity: Chacim was one of the few silk production centers in the interior of Portugal, at a time when this industry was concentrated on the coast.

Serra de Bornes: Where the Horizon Never Ends

The Serra de Bornes dominates the landscape of Chacim with its 1,200 meters of altitude and is the perfect destination for those who want fresh air, breathtaking views and outdoor adventure [2].

UNESCO Panoramic Views

At the top of the mountain range you will find two geosite viewpoints of the Terras de Cavaleiros Geopark: the Panorâmica Bornes Sul, with views over the Vilariça Fault — a geological fracture that extends for 250 km to the Serra da Estrela — and the Panorâmica Bornes Norte, where the horizon opens up in 360 degrees over the vastness of Trás-os-Montes [2,3].

Certified Tracks

Macedo de Cavaleiros has 24 certified hiking trails (180 km in total), making it the Portuguese municipality with the highest number of approved trails. The closest to Chacim include [4]:

• PR19 — Rota dos Cogumelos: 12 km circular route through the Serra de Bornes [5]

• Rota de Balsamão: Chacim to the 17th-century Convent

• PR11 —Rota Entre Aldeias: connects Chacim to neighboring villages through the mountains

Local tip: The Serra de Bornes mountain range is a prime location for hang gliding and paragliding. If you're lucky, you might see practitioners flying over the oak and chestnut trees while you're hiking.

Gastronomy: Flavors that Tell Stories

Located 8 km from Chacim, in Macedo de Cavaleiros, the Dona Antónia restaurant — housed in the first guesthouse in the municipality, in a century-old building with rustic décor and old photographs — is a must-stop to sample the cuisine of Trás-os-Montes in its most authentic form.

What You Can't Miss:

• Posta Mirandesa — the finest cuts of meat from Trás-os-Montes

• Cabrito assado — raised in freedom in the mountains of the region

• Casulas secas com butelo — the winter dish that warms you from the inside

• Mushrooms from the Serra de Bornes — caught in the mountains you see through the window

A culinary curiosity: The onions of Chacim are famous for their sweetness and quality, grown in fields irrigated by the stream that runs through the village. Every year, the Onion Fair celebrates this tradition, which dates back to time immemorial.

Local Crafts: The Textile Heritage of Chacim

Chacim's connection to the silk industry left behind a handcrafted legacy that remains alive today. At the Interpretive Center and in the village shops, you'll find unique pieces that tell this story.

• 🧵 Weaving and embroidery — an art passed down through generations

• ✂️ Traditional sewing — unique handmade pieces

• 🧺 Basketry — wicker baskets for agricultural and decorative use.

• 🪵Woodworking — functional objects rooted in tradition.

Buying here isn't just about taking home a souvenir — it's about supporting a community that keeps centuries-old techniques alive.

How to get to Chacim

📍 Location: Chacim, municipality of Macedo de Cavaleiros, district of Bragança

🚗 By car: From Macedo de Cavaleiros (8 km), via the EN216. The Serra de Bornes mountain range is visible throughout the approach.

Caution: the access roads to Serra de Bornes can be narrow. Drive carefully — the landscape deserves your attention.

Best Time to Visit

🌸 Spring (April-May): Flowery mountains, ideal temperature for hiking and birdwatching.

☀️ Summer (June-August): Perfect for hang gliding and paragliding; seek shade in the chestnut groves.

🍂 Autumn (September-November): Chestnut and mushroom season, and the Onion Fair ❄️ Winter (December-March): The snow transforms the Serra de Bornes into an unforgettable landscape.

Our Travel Advice

Chacim is not for those seeking excitement or tourist infrastructure. It's for those who want to understand how a once-great village chose to preserve that grandeur in stone, history, and tradition. Climb the Serra de Bornes, visit the Royal Spinning Mill, and take your time at the table. The Northeast of Trás-os-Montes doesn't rush—and neither should you.