Location
NORTH PORTUGAL
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| About the area |
NORTH PORTUGAL
In the north-western part of the country lies this land of dense vegetation and
profound historic wealth. It was here that Portugal's first king, Dom Afonso
Henriques, was born in the beginning of the 12th century, having then extended
the kingdom to the south, in what was considered as one of the most heroic feats
of the Christian Reconquest.
The inheritance of a distant past is seen everywhere.
If you follow the coastline on the road from Vila do Conde to Valença, you will not miss the beautiful beaches, seaside resorts and enchanting villages such as Caminha and Vila Nova de Cerveira. Inland and worthwhile visiting is the Peneda-Gerês National Park. Throughout the region the rivers, waterfalls, vineyards and fertile plots combine with the ancestral monuments in urban centres.
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About the region
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OPORTO
The capital of the country's northern regions, with its international t airport, offers the delights of a riverside city as it is magnificently situated on the mouth of the Douro river, from where boats leave to sail up the beautiful river.
Seaside Viana do Castelo, ecclesiastic Braga, and medieval Guimarães are but a few other examples of a happy alliance between popular heritage and cosmopolitan elegance.
The North's most important city lent its name to the famous wine and to
Portugal. One must stroll around its typical quarters (especially the area on
the waterside the "zona ribeirinha") and its bustling downtown. To visit: the Stock Exchange Palace, the Roman-Gothic Cathedral, the Church of Cedofeita (Romanesque), the Clérigos Tower (Oporto's ex-libris) and Church; the Church of São Francisco, of Romanesque origin and with its gilded carvings, and the Church of Carmo, with its tiled façades. Museums: Soares dos Reis, Casa de Serralves, Casa Museu de Guerra Junqueiro. One should not miss a visit to the wine cellars in Vila Nova de Gaia and free tasting of the famous port wine.
Built on the right bank of the Douro river, Porto is a city where the old features contrast with the new.
Its winding, hilly, narrow streets are a complement to its wide modern avenues which spread out to the suburbs.
(photoe by courtesy of Elisabeth Chamontin)
| Dom Luis Bridge was built by Theophile Seyrig, a disciple of Gustav Eiffel. |
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Visit to the Stock Exchange Palace, a 19 th century gem of arab and european good taste :
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VIANA DO CASTELO
Spread along the north bank of the Lima estuary (where one can take trips on
typical boats), this town is famous for its handicrafts and colourful regional
costumes. Deserving special mention are the mother-church, the ancient Paços do Concelho (both Gothic), Casa da Misericórdia (Renaissance with a sacred art treasure), the medieval Casa dos Arcos, the Convent of Santa Ana (16th century), and the Regional Museum. Up above and dominating the city is the Sanctuary of Santa Luzia, with a fantastic view of Viana, the river and the ocean.
(photoes & text by courtesy of Elisabeth Chamontin)
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VILA PRAIA DE ANCORA
Located on the north-western tip of Portugal, the small fishing village of Vila Praia de Âncora becomes a popular beach resort during the summer.
Its tiny harbour, protected by a fort, is still used by fishing boats, which are guided through the narrow entrance by specially-erected lights.
The village was officially granted vila status in 1924 when it took on its present name.
Vila Praia de Âncora was an important point on the pilgrim route to Santiago in north-west Spain. On the old beach path stands the tiny chapel of Santo Isidoro, which has seen many emotional religious processions over the centuries at times of drought or other natural disasters. The chapel features a fine 17th-century granite altarpiece and a front porch to shelter from bad weather.
Nearby : The 13th century church of São Pedro de Varais, at Vile near Vila Praia de Âncora, stands in complete isolation surrounded by beautiful countryside. This simple late Romanesque building features a open 14th-century tomb built into the wall of the nave and the remains of fresco paintings in the chance.
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Vila Praia de Ancora |
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Zêzere River |
JANEIRO DE BAIXO
The River Zêzere passes through the Village of Janeiro de Baixo. This River is one of the most famous and visited ones in Portugal, especially because of canoeing.
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BELMONTE
Belmonte’s first charter was granted by D. Sancho I. in 1199, and the streets of this old village lead to its ancient hilltop castle. A document dated 1258 described its high donjon, walls and bulwarks.
This austere defensive architecture is interrupted by an elegant Manueline window, featuring the armillary sphere associated with D. Manuel I, (symbolising the world), and the Cabral family coat of arms featuring two goats (cabra meaning ‘she-goat’ in Portuguese). Among the heroes produced by this illustrious family was Pedro Álvares Cabral, who was born in Belmonte in 1467, and discovered Brazil in 1500.
Next to the castle there is a small Romano-Gothic church dedicated to São Tiago. This contains a sculpted granite Pietà of simple rough beauty. An annexe to the church houses the pantheon of the Cabral family, although the ashes of Pedro Álvares Cabral are entombed in the church of Graça, in Santarém.
A significant Jewish community settled in Belmonte, mainly in the fifteenth century, when Jews fleeing persecution in Castile took refuge here. They lived in houses in the Marrocos district outside the castle walls, where the symbols of their professions, such as the tailor’s scissors, can still be seen engraved on the doorposts.
Belmonte preserves its medieval atmosphere as effectively as the Jews secretly preserved their prayers, traditions and customs until today’s more tolerant climate allowed them to found a new synagogue, Bet Eliahu.
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VIDAGO ~ TRÁS OS MONTES
At the spas of Chaves, Vidago, Pedras Salgadas, Carlão or Carvalhelhos, discover the relaxing powers of the northern mountain waters.
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Beautiful landscape in Tràs os Montes |
Over the centuries, Chaves (meaning 'keys') has been fought over by the Romans, the French during the Peninsular War, and repeated Spanish invaders. Thermal springs and nearby gold deposits encouraged the Romans to establish an important stronghold here in AD 78. Located in the centre of Portugal's spectacular Trás-os-Montes region, Chaves today is a lively market town famous for its spa, historic centre and tasty presuntos (smoked hams).
The 14th-century keep of Chaves castle overlooks the town's medieval square - Praça de Camões. Within the castle keep is a small military museum where suits of armour, uniforms and other regalia are on display. On the south side stands the parish church with its fine Romanesque portal. The Baroque Misericordia church opposite has an exquisite interior lined with 18th-century azulejo glazed tiles. A few minutes on foot from the city centre is one of the hottest springs in Europe. Water here bubbles up at a temperature of 73ºC (163º F). The spa's facilities attract both tourists and people seeking treatments.
Nearby, you can see the 16-arch Roman bridge across the Tâmega River completed around 100 AD, at the time of the Emperor Trajan. Close to the village of Soutelo, 4 km north-west of Chaves, is a huge stone known as Outeiro Machado. Measuring 50 metres in length, it is covered in symbols and other strange markings. A second large boulder can be seen at Bolideira 16 km east.
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ESPOSENDE
Esposende is an old fishing village with some fine old buildings.
At the time of the Portuguese Maritime Discoveries, Esposende was an important fishing and sea port. These activities have continued into the present day, although it is also a very popular seaside resort. In the nearby village of Apúlia, besides fishing, one of the most typical activities is the gathering of seaweed at low tide.
The coastal strip stretching from Esposende to Ofir and Fão has been classified as a protected landscape area and is considered to be one of the most beautiful stretches of Portugal´s northern coastline.
Roughly 6 km to the north, São Bartolomeu do Mar is famous for its religious festival of 24 August, which includes the "Banho Santo", a ritual of bathing in the sea that according to tradition cures illnesses and makes children strong and healthy.
(photoes & text by courtesy of Elisabeth Chamontin)
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Further information about Portugal is to be found in our "about Portugal" pages. |
