Once a mighty riverport, the ancient fortress town of Caminha
is almost surrounded by water. Proudly situated opposite Spain
at the mouth of the enchanting River Minho, it has been inhabited
since Celtic and Roman times. What to see: Begun in the late 15th century, Caminha's
Gothic parish church, Igreja Matriz, has an impressive inlaid
ceiling of panels carved in Moorish style. In the main square
there are 15th-century battlemented buildings. Nearby: Foz do Minho (Mouth of the Minho) lies just 5
km south-west of Caminha. From here, local fishermen are on
hand to take tourists to the ruined island fortress of Ínsua
Fort, which houses a former Franciscan convent and church. 12
km north-east, the small walled town of Vila Nova de Cerveira
has several narrow streets lined with mansions and a 16th century
castle.
