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 Viana do Castelo Accommodation
Viana do Castelo Guest & Manor Houses
Viana do Castelo Holiday Apartments
Viana do Castelo Holiday Rental Agents
Viana do Castelo Holiday Resorts
Viana do Castelo Hotels
Viana do Castelo Hotels & Spa
Viana do Castelo Inns
Viana do Castelo Accommodation - Pousadas
Pousada Dom Dinis
Pousada Monte de Santa Luzia
Pousada São Teotónio
Viana do Castelo Entertainment
Viana do Castelo - Restaurants
Viana do Castelo - What to Do
Viana do Castelo Golf Courses
Estela Golf Course
Ponte de Lima Golf Course
Quinta da Barca Golf Course
Amarante Golf Course
Vidago Palace Golf Course
Montebelo Golf Course
Golfe da Quinta do Fojo
Oporto Golf Club
Vale Pisao
Viana do Castelo Wines
Vinho Verde Wines
History of Viana do Castelo
The town lying at the mouth of the Rio Lima has a always had a
history linked with the sea. It is recorded that its original name of
"Calpe" was given to the town by Diomedes in 1156
BC King Henriques Alfonso granted its Charter in 1253 in the name of
Viana. In the 15th Century a wave of Jews escaping persecution
from the Spanish made their homes here. It may have been because of this
that the many pirates roaming the coast often picked Viana to raid.
In 1640 Dom António, the Prior of Crato, with a combined army from
surrounding towns defeated the Spanish occupiers. In 1848 the name of the
town was changed to Viana do Castelo.
In the 15th Century it gained importance as the one of the main ports
from which Portuguese explorers set sail. From here embarked João
Velho who was to chart the Congo, and João Álvares Fagundes
who charted the rich fishing grounds off Newfoundland. An enterprising
English community settled here prior to 1580 for the export of local wine.
The Spanish invasion of that year drove them further south and it took
until 1700 before they had re-established their original flourishing
business. However, these traders had to move back to Porto due to the
important growth in the Port wine trade. (Visit - Portugal History)
Description of Viana do Castelo
The City is still kept reasonably busy with its fishing industry and the
new phenomena of tourism. A main feature of the City is the attractive
main square that features both a 1553 water fountain and the
Misericórdia house that was constructed in 1598. Close by is its
15th Century Cathedral that has a fortress-like feeling and graced with
Gothic carved relief's of the apostles. In the square of São Domingos
is the 16th Century church of the same name. The City Museum housed in a
small Palace of Barbosa Maciel is also in the main square. It holds
a variety of interesting fine items such as rare ceramics, furniture,
paintings and archaeological finds from the area. In the northwest part of
the City the 18th Century Chapel Nossa Senhora da Agonia plays an
important part in its annual celebrations. A three-day festival drawing
thousands of visitors is held in August each year to honour this image.
Located on the high hill of Monte Santa Luzia is the modern
unattractive basilica that dominates over the City. From this point there
are magnificent views of the surroundings whilst slightly hidden in a wood
close by is the remains of a Celtic-Iberian settlement that has been
reconstructed with many small huts and paved streets.
The town of Viana do Castelo is famous for its decorative filigree
jewellery which reflects back to the time of Moor occupation. More
recently in the 20th Century the City made a successful income from
their cod fishing fleet but with the decline in availability of this
fish has resulted in a similar decline in the industry.
Viana do Castelo - Nearby Locations
A ferry or the bridge takes visitors across the river to the beautiful
sweeping sandy beach of Praia Cabedelo that stretches as far south
as the popular holiday resort of Esposende.
To the north is another holiday resort by the name of Vila Praia de
Âncora with its 17th Century Fort. On this coastal road just to the
north of Viana do Castelo is Areosa with a 16th Century
chapel and a 17th Century fort. An interesting 13th Century chapel can
also be found to the northeast of this town at a small hamlet named
São Pedro de Varais.
From this point running along the Spanish boarder are several towns worth
visiting; Caminha, Vila Nova de Cerveira, Valença and the Spa
towns of Monção and Melgaço. The town of Caminha
came to prominence when in 1640 the Forte de Ínsua was constructed
to protect against the raiding pirates. This Fort was later to act as a
hindrance to the invasion by the French army in 1809.The town of
Valença which was first fortified in the reign of Sancho I
is interesting to the tourist in that it has a selection of interesting
buildings, a railway museum and its 17th Century two joined Forts.
Legends and fables abound in the area and some of which are attached to
the turbulent history of Monção. In 1368 a Spanish army had
besieged the town for some time driving the occupants to near starvation.
The wife of the absent leader of the town used the town's last flour to
bake bread and threw it over the walls to the besiegers with suitable
taunts. Believing their siege had failed the Spanish army retreated and
this act is permanently recorded in the town's coat-of-arms. Just south
of Monção is Brejoeira is the renown 18th Century Palace
of Brejoeira. The strategic town of Melgaço has enjoyed a
bitter history of wars but still has maintained character from its
medieval past. The tower with its ruined fortification overlooking the
town dates back to 1197. To the south of Melgaço is the Spa named
Termas do Peso. Also to the south is the small hamlet of Fiães
at 700 metres and with a Cistercian Monastery from the 12th Century.
Even further to the south of this hamlet is Castro Laboreiro with
a church dating back to the 9th Century. Just to the south of this town
at 1.033 metres is a castle from before the 11th Century.
Further to the northeast after passing through Ponte de Barca is
the small town of Lindoso. This is an unpretentious small Spa town
that acts as the centre of the Gerêz Nature Reserve of 72.000
hectares in which it sits. To the northeast of this town is a small village
of Soajo which feels as it has stepped out of the medieval world.
To the east of Viana do Castelo is Giela with a 14th Century tower
as part of a 15th Century small palace. Some distance inland to the east
of Viana do Castelo following the river Lima upstream is the
town of Ponte de Lima, and then later the town of Ponte de Barca.
The first of these towns has a 14th Century restored chapel named Anjo
da Guarda and the town church Igreja da Misericórdia and is the
oldest official recorded town in Portugal. Close by is the small town of
Bravães with a church that is considered as a prime example of
Portuguese romanticism. Both towns are attractive with many historic and
architecturally interesting buildings as testaments to their past. The
latter town boasts a legend connected to its Roman bridge that has since
undergone many alterations. The Rio Lima was about 2000 years ago
a gentle flowing stream known as Rio Leathe (the river of
forgetfulness). Having at the time no bridge, a Legion of Roman soldiers
mutinied rather than wade across the stream. The soldiers superstitiously
believed that they would forget their families and loved ones in back in
Italy by wading across. Needless to say a Centurion led the way and the
soldiers followed him across. However, the matter was not forgotten and
a bridge was subsequently built. Just to the north of Ponte de Barca
is the town of Arcos de Valdevez that was a pivot point in the
founding of the independence of Portugal. Alfonso II de Leon
fought his cousin Afonso Henrigues in a chivalrous tournament in
its plains, and by Alfonso II losing the Portuguese nation was
virtually born. Even further to the east is Soajo and Lindoso.
Both towns present past images of the rugged nature of its existence with
granite houses and its granite community granaries, and the later with its
medieval castle.
Viana do Castelo Weather (detailed)
Detailed Afife weather conditions
Detailed Âncora weather conditions
Detailed Cabedelo weather conditions
Detailed Moledo weather conditions
Detailed Viana do Castelo weather conditions
Viana do Castelo Photos
Viana do Castelo Town Walls
· Viana do Castelo View
· River Town
· Viana do Castelo Medieval Buildings
· Viana do Castelo Palace
· Viana do Castelo Period Building
· Viana do Castelo Medieval Square
· Viana do Castelo Bridge
· Viana do Castelo Medieval Chapel
· Viana do Castelo Beach
· Viana do Castelo Beach
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Viana do Castelo Events |
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| Festa de Nossa Senhora da Agonia |
August |
| Town Holiday |
20th August |
| Market Day |
Every Friday
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Costa Verde Towns
Braga
· Guimarães
· Porto
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Viana do Castelo Telephone Numbers
4900
