At a distance of 5kms from Guimarães, St. Torcato is a town of  predominantly rural nature, situated on the left bank of the river Selho, on whose banks can be found a number of century-old water mills of which some are still at work.

The construction of the Sanctuary of St.Torcato, a granite structure incorporating elements of gothic, Romanesque and classical styles, began at the end of the 19th century.  Inside the church is kept the incorrupt body of St. Torcato, one of the first evangelists of the Iberian Peninsula in the 8th century.  The building is still under construction, at the moment being finished by stone-masons trained in the school of stone-masonry of the Fraternity of St.Torcato.

The Museum of St. Torcato, located next to the sanctuary, displays a varied collection of objects relating to the worship of the saint, his sanctuary and to the daily life of the region.

The Church of the Monastery of St.Torcato has its origins in the period of the Visigoths. Although parts of the old Romanesque church still exist, it underwent alterations in the 12th century and was further enlarged in the 19th century.  It is classified as a National Monument

St. Torcato is famous for its folklore, and has many festivals the most important and well attended of which is the Great Festival of St. Torcato (Romaria Grande) which has been held every 1st Sunday in July since 1852.

Festivals

Agricultural Fair: 27th February
Linen Festival : 1st Saturday in July
Romaria Grande de S. Torcato: 1st  Sunday in July