WITH AN AUSTERE APPEARANCE, EXHIBITING AN EXTENSIVE RICH AND WELL-PRESERVED HERITAGE, VILA REAL IS, HOWEVER, A DYNAMIC AND COSMOPOLITAN CITY.
Cathedral
Vila Real benefits from the teaching and science and technology centers installed there, which bet on the agri-food and environmental enhancement areas, bringing new blood and growth to the region.
Situated on a plateau about 450 meters above the Corgo River, one of the tributaries of the Douro, it maintains marked rural characteristics, nestled between the Marão and Alvão mountains and the wine-growing terraces.
In the city formerly known as the ” Trás-os-Montes’ Court”, due to the many emblazoned families who then lived there, start by discovering the medieval area, from the 13th century, and the old town, then descend to the banks of the river and enjoy the leafy Parque Corgo. In the surroundings, visit the prehistoric sanctuary of Panóias, the Mateus Palace and its gardens, and also the Casa dos Brocas, built by Camilo Castelo Branco’s grandfather, where the writer lived..
Mateus Palace
Corgo Park
When appetite hits, try a savoury covilhete for entrée, a genuine Maronesa steak afterwards – or maybe some Tripes in Sauces, and end with a Pito de Santa Luzia, a Gancha de S. Brás or a Crista de Galo that, in 2019, was considered one of the 7 Sweet Wonders of Portugal.
Lamas d’Olo
