Portugal is a magnet for its Spanish neighbours. The climate, heritage and warmth of its people make it the perfect place for those who want to travel without leaving the peninsula. But when we think of Portugal, two cities come to mind: Porto, for its wine, its coast and its bridges; and Lisbon, with its imposing castle and the pastel buildings of the old city. There is Portugal beyond these two places and you can enjoy several of those places this summer.
Amarante
Crowned by the great Serra de Marão and bathed by the Tâmega River, the largest tributary of the Douro, the municipality of Amarante offers an unforgettable picture. The Tâmega runs through the heart of the city, enhancing the picturesque group of houses that stand on both banks.
Some historians attribute the founding of this transitional town between the Miño and Trás-os-Montes to a Roman centurion named Amarantus. In the 13th century, Saint Gonzalo, a Benedictine monk with a reputation for being a saint, arrived here after travelling through Italy and Jerusalem and was named its patron saint. He is credited with building a sturdy bridge over the Tâmega on the same site where the current one is located.
Amarante’s sweets are very famous, and can be easily found in the many bakeries in the area. But beyond its gastronomy, it is essential to stop by Serra do Marão to admire the stunning landscape. Nearby, in the beautiful valley of Ansiães, a visit to the trout farms on the right bank of the Ovelha River is a good excuse to stroll through the dense forests that surround them.
Braga
Don’t be fooled by its name, as this is one of the oldest cities in the country. Long-lived in age but not in spirit, it is home to thousands of young university students.
It is a perfect place for religious tourism. The cathedral is also the oldest in the country and was built in the 12th century by the parents of the first king of Portugal, Dom Enrique and Dom Teresa, who have their tombs there. Today, Braga remains one of the main religious centres in the country and the celebrations of Easter and St. John are the highlight of the liturgical and tourist calendar.
In addition to the Cathedral Treasury or Museum of Sacred Art, it is worth visiting the Biscaínhos Museum, housed in a Baroque palace, the most influential period in Braga’s heritage, or the D. Diogo de Sousa Archaeological Museum, as the city is rich in vestiges of the Roman era. You can enjoy a quiet walk through the historic centre to visit some of the many churches, appreciate the historic houses and buildings, such as the Raio Palace, the Circo Theatre, the Porta Nova Arch, or have a coffee on the emblematic Brasileira, while watching the hustle and bustle of Avenida Central.
Anyone visiting Braga must go up to the Sanctuary of Bom Jesus, an icon of the city, with its monumental staircase. Set in green spaces, it offers an excellent panoramic view of the city, as do two other churches in the surrounding area: the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Sameiro, an important place of Marian worship in the country, and also the Church of Santa Maria da Falperra. Outside the historic centre, the Monastery of San Martín de Tibães and the Chapel of São Frutuoso de Montélios are worth a visit for their beauty and historical importance.
Ovary
The best Portuguese tilework and the best beaches in the country are found in Ovar. The art of tile making in Ovar reaches its zenith in the church of Válega. Located five kilometres from the city centre, it has one of the most beautiful and unique temples in the world. A true masterpiece that is popularly known as the “Portuguese Sistine Chapel”. Although the temple began to be built in 1746 and the works lasted a hundred years, the covering of its façade with polychrome tiles showing different biblical passages was carried out in the 20th century by the Aleluia Factory of Aveiro.
To appreciate the true dimension of this work, one must enter the adjoining cemetery with respect and thus have a more complete view of the façade. If possible, we recommend making this visit at dusk, when the sun projects its rays onto the sample of tiles, giving them greater colour and liveliness.
Evora
A World Heritage Site that is recommended to be visited on foot, walking through its narrow streets of white houses and discovering the monuments and details that reveal the history of Évora and the richness of its heritage.
Given its peaceful and welcoming atmosphere, it is not surprising that the Portuguese kings of the 15th century chose this city, whose origins date back to Roman times, as their residence, a fact that contributed to the development and cultural importance it experienced in the following centuries. In fact, its long history and the fact that it has preserved to this day a representative urban complex from the 16th to the 18th centuries were the reasons why UNESCO classified Évora as a World Heritage Site.
The Praça do Giraldo is a must-see. It is the heart of the city and the meeting point par excellence, with cafés, terraces, shops and the tourist office. At one end is the Church of San Antonio and the marble chafariz with eight spouts, which represent the eight streets that converge there.
Fafe
Fafe, known as the “visiting room of the Miño”, is located between the banks of the Vizela and Ferro rivers and is known primarily for its gastronomy, heritage and natural beauty.
The city has been very cosmopolitan since the late 19th century, when emigrant investors from Brazil began to return and decided to invest in the city, building beautiful and luxurious mansions.
This new urban life created what is known as the Fafe of the Brazilians, still present in public squares and gardens, namely the Jardim do Calvário, the Casa da Cultura, where the Museum of Migrations and the Press Museum are currently located.
But Fafe is much more than its urban surroundings. It is located in Alto de Morgair, where the municipality reaches an altitude of nearly 900 metres, a place where the ancient, genuine and inspiring mountain landscape opens up.
Very close to this place, in Aboim and Várzea Cova, there is one of the largest oak forests in Europe. The area is accessible on foot and is full of pedestrian paths.
Lagos
In Lagos, everything seems to invite you to the beach and simple pleasures. But there is also a history of sailors and pirates, the result of a strong relationship with the sea that endures in the colorful fishing boats that bring fish to the market or in the marina where yachts from all over the world rock.
Although they were built on the site of earlier buildings, some of the main monuments date back to this period, such as the Castle of the Governors, or the city walls and the Fort of Ponta da Bandeira, which protected the city from invaders, especially corsairs, and which now offer beautiful views of the town and the sea. Also in Lagos, under the arcades of Praça Infante D. Henrique, the first slave market in Europe took place, a space now transformed into a cultural centre with exhibitions and sales of crafts.
Source: www.eldiario.es
