 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.
Stay at one of the excellent manor-houses and mansions
with coats of arms, and enjoy the aristocratic tradition
of hospitality. Along with this unreproachable art one
may en joy an abundant gastronomy, light, acidulous wines
(vinhos verdes) and rich wines, and a variety of handicrafts
that mingles the shine of` the filigree with the colour
of the local embroideries.
The country's longest motorway (A1, from Lisbon to Oporto)
goes up to Braga (A3), in the heart of Costa Verde. 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.
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.
Places
of Interest
Barcelos - Medieval walled town with a dungeon. Worthy
of a visit are the Ceramics Museum, the Archaeologic
Museum of the Dukes' Palace, the mother-church (Roman-Gothic),
and the churches of Terço, Cruzes and Benedictine
Convent. Walking tours: around the ancient Jewish quarter
or in the streets with medieval houses and Baroque manors;
boat tours: on the Cávado river.
Braga - Founded by the Celts in 300 B.C. and a Roman
administrative centre in 27 B.C., Bracara Augusta, as
the Romans named it, combines the religious importance
with today's commercial and industrial prosperity. To
visit: the Cathedral (12th-18th centuries), the Treasury
and Sacred Art Museum; the Museum at the Biscainhos Palace;
and the Dom Diogo de Sousa Museum. Also deserving to
be visited are the churches of Misericórdia (Renaissance),
Pópulo (17th-18th centuries) and of Nossa Senhora
Branca (18th century). On the outskirts, 5 km away from
the centre, stands the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte,
with its monumental Baroque staircase; the Sanctuary
of Nossa Senhora do Sameiro; the ancient Monastery of
Tibães, dating back to the Suevian period and
rebuilt in the 11th century, and the Church of São
Frutuoso de Montélios (7th century Visigothic
temple)
Guimarães - Portugal's birthplace, with medieval
castle and walls, houses a magnificently well preserved
historic centre. In the cloisters of the Church of Nossa
Senhora da Oliveira is the Alberto Sampaio Museum; in
the cloister of São Domingos Convent is the Martins
Sarmento Museum; and in the ancient Dominican Convent
is the Sacred Art Museum. Also deserving special mention
are the medieval palace of the Dukes of Bragança
(15th century), the Church of São Miguel (Romanesque),
the Church of Santos Passos (Baroque), and the Monastery
of Santa Marinha da Costa (a pousada). Nearby lies the
early settlement of Briteiros.
Porto - 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.
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.
Vila do Conde - Ancient medieval shipyard. Interesting
architectonic places to visit such as the mother-church
(Manuelina), the Santa Clara Convent (18th century),
the Misericórdia Church (Renaissance), the Aqueduct,
and St. John the Baptist Fortress. This town is also
famous for its lace.
Vila Praia de Âncora - In the heart of the beautiful
garden that is the Minho, the perfect setting between
the sea, the countryside, the rivers and the mountains.
The region has numerous megaliths, castles and fortresses.
Regional
Gastronomy
In the Costa Verde region, one finds all the delicious
northern dishes as the "caldo verde", the codfish,
pork filets ("rojões"), duck with rice,
as well as other typical regional meals. In Viana do
Castelo, the rice with codfish and the octopus "à Margarida
da Praça" style. In Caminha, the steamed
conger-eel, the whiting and the bream. In Paredes de
Couro, the codfish "Miquelina" style;: in Monção,
the roasted kid, the shad and the lamprey; in Melgaço,
the smoked hams; in Oporto, the famous tripe.
On the dessert side, one can relish the rich and varied
pastries traditionally baked by the nuns - "S. Gonçalo" and "papos
de anjo", the "doce de travessa", the "arroz
doce" (sweet rice) and the "aletria",
the "rabanadas", "sonhos" and "mexidos" (popovers
and sweet dumplings), the delicious "pão
de ló" and the egg yolk and almond paste
based pastries. As for as drinks are concerned, the Port
wines and the Vinhos Verde are a must.
Article © 2002-2006, Oporto,
Portugal
|
