| VISEU |
Surrounded by vineyards, orchards and pine-forests, the charming
country town of Viseu has been a northern crossroads since the
time of the Romans, who chose its site for a military camp,
the largest yet to be discovered in Portugal.
Viseu was made the seat of a bishopric in the mid-6th century,
after which the Suevi destroyed the Roman walls. Today, its
main importance is as the centre of the Dão wine-growing
region, where crispy white wines and some of Portugal's most
popular full-bodied reds are produced.
What to see: The soul of Viseu is its 13th-century Sé
Cathedral, located at the highest point of the town. Behind
its twin-towered façade lies an elegantly simple Gothic
interior featuring a two-storey cloister and fine azulejo glazed
tiles in the north chapel. The sacristy boasts one of the finest
ceilings in Portugal. Adjacent to the cathedral, the Grão
Vasco Museum houses rare paintings by Vasco Fernandes (1475-1540)
and several outstanding sculptures.
Nearby: The pretty village of Mangualde, 19 km east of
Viseu, is notable for the small Baroque palace of the Counts
of Anadia, built in 1740 and full of family portraits. 22 km
north-west of Viseu lies São Pedro do Sul, which has
been a popular spa resort since Roman times. |
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| © 2007 Maisturismo |
