São Julião de Montenegro, located in the municipality of Chaves in the district of Vila Real, has one of the best conserved churches in the country.
In the 12th Century, after territorial demarcations were established, the court of Montenegro was created. Together, with the municipalities of Lampaça and Braganza, this would constitute the administrative and military district of the northeastern division of the transmontana area. With this centralised reform, pursued by King Dinis I, the region of Montenegro remained part of the region of Chaves which converted into the head of the judicial body. However, Montenegro initiated a series of lawsuits against the royal decision which culminated in 1307 with the definitive integration of the courts of Montenegro in the neighboring Chaves.
During some construction work carried out in the church, three milestones originating from the Via Augusta were discovered. In addition to the milestones, there are various archaeological remains that can be traced back to the Roman period leading us to believe that there was a possible Roman occupation of the area. Also of interest are the pylon and monumental cross belonging to the village.
