Private tours in Oporto & surroundings
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Program
The area of Tras-Os-Montes ("behind the mountains") extends from the Spanish border in the north, east to the mountains of Vila Real.
It is a green and fertile area of rolling hills. The countryside of the region is typified by picturesque villages nestling among vine-covered
hills and historic towns. It is a very satisfying area to visit, with nature reserves, historic towns, sleepy hamlets, mountainous
landscapes, natural parks and the vineyards which produce the varieties of the famous Port wine.
Now as in the past, population is clustered in the fertile valleys (especially the upper Douro valley), where the soil is good for growing
grapes and fruit. The bare, dry arid plateau provides grazing for sheep and goats. In addition to agriculture the region has a long tradition
of handicrafts such as weaving, lace and pottery.
Bragança is the capital of the province os Trás-os-Montes (Behind the Hills) which, as its name suggests, lies quite isolated in the
mountainous area, being Portugal´s least known region. Bragança will be impossible to forget, once visited, it offers a wild and beautiful
landscape.
The region´s harsh climate and remoteness preserve the small, isolated stone villages and long stretches of moorland full of historic
associations, rich regional food, a life style still marked by traditions and a rough beauty of their own.
Braganca is one of the most important historic towns in Portugal. The medieval citadel towering over the town from the hill is a classic
sight not to be missed. The citadel is all the more striking by its isolated location in this mountainous area. This is incredibly well
preserved and people still live within the narrow lanes. Within the blue schist walls is the castle of King Sancho I, built in 1187 with an
assortment of watchtowers, dungeons and the impressive thirty three metre high keep.
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At the centre of the citadel is the 13th century Domus Municipalis. This is the country's only surviving example of Romanesque civic architecture. There is
no other in Europe that has the pentagonal form that the Braganca council chambers have. Right next door is the Santa Maria Church with its elaborately
carved granite portal and 18th century barrel-vaulted painted ceiling, characteristic of several Bragancan churches.
Don't miss the porca, a carved prehistoric granite pig, at the side of the keep with a huge pelourinho sticking out of his back. Its thought to be fertility idol
of a prehistoric cult that once roamed the Tras-os-Montes area.
Braganca is an excellent base from which to explore the Montesinho Natural Park to its north, one of the wildest regions in Europe that has meant a range
of rare species are still able to survive here including wolves, wild boars, otters and eagles.
The attractive little town of Mirandela (Altitude: 250m/820ft) lies on the left bank of the Rio Tua about 70km/44mi southwest of Bragança in one of the
most isolated areas of the Portuguese mainland. It has a small, medieval center and is becoming a popular tourist destination in northeastern Portugal. The
beautiful town is known for its pretty gardens leading down to the river. An elegant Roman bridge, which was rebuilt in the 16th century, crosses the river
and has 20 asymmetrical arches, it is now for pedestrian use only. The imposing 17th century town hall once belonged to the Távoras family. The 17th
century mother church is also worth visiting and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora do Amparo offers great views of the surrounding area.
One of its four bridges on the Tua River creates a small reservoir that is frequently used for leisure purposes.
Glorious festivals are held in Mirandela in the summertime. Mirandela is also famous for its cuisine, particularly the "alheira" (a traditional smoked sausage).
Murça - Douro has a deserved reputation of producing great wines. "Porca de Murça" is one of the most popular. Murça is famous for the granite figure of
a wild boar (on the main street), the subject of many legends and associated with Pre-Roman fertility cults. It is also said that this figure represents a very
ferocious wild bear, which used to terrify the local population.
In the heart of the Douro demarcated wine region, Murça gives great importance to the activity of farming, with the region's economy being dependent not
only upon wine-making, but also on the production of olive-oil and honey.
During your trip to this locality, you must contemplate the pillory in front of town hall building, a former convent of the Benedict nuns who invented the
recipe of “toucinho-do-céu”, according to popular belief. The main church with its altars in gilt carved wood is situated in the surroundings. The
Misericórdia Chapel stands out for its imposing columns with engraved grapes. There are also beautiful houses in Murça, such as the manor houses Solar
dos Morgadinhos and Solar dos Condes de Murça, as well as great views over the region, mainly from 738m high Alto do Pópulo and the viewpoint of
Monte de São Domingos.
Vila Real - Wiped out by Gothic and Muslim invasions, the region of Serra Marao was empty until the 12th century, when King Dinis established Vila
Real (pop. 25,000). The medieval city overlooks the deep gorges of the Corgo and Cabril Rivers in the foothills of the Serra, and is the gateway to Parque
Natural do Alvãoes, Portugal’s smallest natural park. Its 8,000 hectares of pine-covered paradise, only 15km north of Vila Real, offers excellent short
hiking trails. Vila Real’s most visited site is the Casa de Mateus, considered to be a perfect example of Portuguese Baroque and "the most fantastic
country house in Portugal", world-famous for being featured on the label of Mateus Rosé wine. Although the Mangualde family still live there, parts of it
are open to the public. Inside the palace there are magnificent wood ceilings as well as valuable furniture, carpets, paintings and silverware, and an
interesting porcelain collection. However, the beauty of the gardens actually surpasses that of the Solar de Mateus, among the most beautiful in Europe,
with box hedges, statues and the ancient tunnel formed by topiaried thuya is a work of art; the trees allow scarcely any light to enter.
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...The Tras-os-Montes region is the north eastern part of Portugal where the northern part of the region is known as the Terra Fria
(cold land) due to its harsh winters where the extremes in winters and summers have led to the local quip to describe the climate
"nine months of winter and three months of hell". The southern part of the region is known as Terra Quente (hot land) is much
more Mediterranean in climate. It is one of the least well-known areas in Portugal and retains much of Portugal's traditions and
charm. It is a beautiful part of the world with stunning mountains of the Montesinho Natural Park in the north and the lower hills
dotted with regular rows of almond and olive trees that colour the landscape with their blossom in March and April. The name —
Beyond-the-Mountains and Upper Douro — refers to the location on the "other" (eastern) side of such mountains as Marão, Alvão
and Gerês, which separate the coast from the interior, and along the upper valley of the Douro River. In this centuries-old "corner
of the corner of Europe", alone, in a struggle against the harsh soil and inclement climate, a character was formed: "that of the sad
demeanor, the mistrusting air, courageous, daring, hardworking, loyal, and with strength of character a way of life."...
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