| North
Portugal |
Portugal's most fertile region lies between the Spanish province
of Galicia to the north and the Douro Valley to the south.
Occupying the country's north western corner, the lush green
Minho region takes its name from the river that has always marked
Portugal's northern frontier.
Braga, its capital, is an ancient Celtic city with more than
300 churches. Outside the city, the Baroque splendour of Bom
Jesus do Monte is an important pilgrimage shrine.
Further south lies Guimarães, the undisputed birthplace
of the country. When Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself the
first king of Portugal in 1139, he chose Guimarães as
his capital.
Between Braga and the Atlantic coast is Barcelos, the ceramics
centre of Portugal. The town's large weekly market every Thursday
is a major attraction for locals and tourists alike.
Further north lies the attractive riverside town of Ponte de
Lima, famous for its extensive Roman bridge. The coastal town
of Viana do Castelo is also interesting for its winding streets
and ancient monuments.
Portugal's northeasternmost region, Trás-os-Montes, is
a remote wilderness of rugged moorland and sleepy stone villages.
Its capital, Bragança, boasts an ancient walled citadel
standing on an isolated hilltop. The surrounding Parque Natural
de Montesinho is an extensive nature reserve covering 70,000
hectares of protected landscape.
Visitors exploring the southern part of the region can reach
the Douro Valley by boat, car or train. The journey through
Port wine country is one of the most pleasant travel experiences
in Southern Europe, passing by many of the famous vineyards
along the way.
A popular stopover on this route is Lamego, an attractive town
within the demarcated Port wine making area. Its main sites
include a 12th-century Gothic cathedral and a small hilltop
chapel dating back to 1391. |
|
![]()
![]() |
|
|
|
|
 |
| © 2007 Maisturismo |
