Cultural Route in the Alto Douro Vinhateiro

THE DOURO IS FILLED WITH TREASURES… AND WE HAVE A CULTURAL ITINERARY THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO DISCOVER IT

There are several sights located in the Alto Douro Vinhateiro, but we think it is important to highlight the places with the greatest value in a cultural itinerary, which are a must visit.

When you visit any of these places, you will leave full of new knowledge, and with an in-depth understanding of such an ancient region with so much history.

Learn more about the buildings that are a reference in tourism and in the culture of the Douro Wine Region.

 

DOURO MUSEUM, THE STARTING POINT OF THE CULTURAL ITINERARY

 

The Douro Museum is located in the city of Peso da Régua, having been created in 1997. This place serves as a representation of the memory, culture and identity of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro.

It was consecrated with the status of Douro World Heritage by UNESCO, as a cultural, evolving and living landscape.

It is located where the Companhia Geral da Agricultura das Vinhas do Alto Douro was once founded.

The building comprises an exhibition area, a documentation centre, an archive, a library, a reading room, a conservation and restoration workshop, a restaurant, a shop and a wine bar.

There is yet another building of modern architecture covered with black shale panels, where the Educational Service is located.

In 2011 it won the European Museum of the Year Award, demonstrating its quality and pride in the cultural identity of the Douro region.

 

PORT WINE SOLAR

Solar do Vinho do Porto is located in Régua, and was born in 2003.

It was inaugurated by the Porto Wine Institute (IVP), and was the third manor house to exist in the country, in addition to those that already existed in Porto and Lisbon.

It is located in an old warehouse that belonged to Casa do Douro.

It is characterized by being a multifunctional space, where Port and Douro wines can be tasted and purchased.

There are also several cultural events.

In one of the wings of the warehouse there is a counter for wine tasting and sales, and it also has a bar.

In a second wing, temporary exhibitions of the Douro Museum take place.

In the building you can visit thematic exhibitions on Port Wine, while, in the space where the former cooperage used to be, there is now an auditorium.

Technical tastings of Porto Wine and Douro Wine are organised, as well as Ports of Honour, lunches and dinners.

 

SANCTUARY OF NOSSA SENHORA DOS REMÉDIOS

The Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary is located in Lamego, and construction began in 1750.

Its construction ended in 1905.

Its façade is characterized by Baroque style marks, being flanked by bell towers inside.

On the main altar is the image of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios, carved in wood.

It also has three stained glass windows with images of Our Lady of Conception, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Annunciation.

The access staircase to the sanctuary has 686 steps, and at its base there are four figures representing the four seasons of the year.

It is also surrounded by a dense forest, which belongs to the Parque de Santo Estevão.

The Nossa Senhora dos Remédios Sanctuary is considered one of the most important pilgrimage centers in the country.

The stairs and the Church can be visited all year round.

We recommend that you visit in September, when the feast of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios takes place, when devotees get on their knees to the church to ask for their miracle.

 

PALÁCIO DE MATEUS, A MUST STOP ON THE DOURO CULTURAL ITINERARY

The Palácio de Mateus is located in the parish that gives it its name, the parish of Mateus. It is 2 kilometers from the city of Vila Real.

It is also known as Solar, or Casa de Mateus. Its name owes its fame to the Mateus Rosé wine that comes from it.

In Portugal it is considered one of the best representations of Baroque architecture in the country.

This palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and several extensive vineyards.

Although the original building dates back to 1619, it is not known exactly when the current Palace was built.

It was classified as a National Monument in 1911.

It has an entrance hall that gives access to a library. It also has a cellar and a chapel.

Of its interior decoration, the wooden ceilings, the furniture from different periods, the various paintings scattered throughout the building and various silver and ceramic objects stand out.

The Palácio de Mateus is owned by the Fundação da Casa de Mateus, which has developed an intense cultural activity, namely in the areas of music, literature and the visual arts.

Festivals, courses, seminars and exhibitions are also organised. Of note are the “Music Encounters at Casa de Mateus” which take place every year during the summer months.

 

CÔA VALLEY ARCHAEOLOGICAL PARK

The Côa Valley Archaeological Park concentrates most of the prehistoric remains of rock art from the Côa Valley, considered to be the most important outdoor Palaeolithic art in the world.

Created in 1996, it was classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

It currently consists of more than 60 rupestrian nuclei, spread over 26 kilometers.

This park is an institution created to manage, protect, musealize and put the rock art of the Côa Valley on public display.

It is divided into three nuclei: Canada do Inferno, Ribeira de Piscos/ Fariseu and Penascosa. It is possible to take guided tours, and in the core of Penascosa you can also take a night tour.

The park's main structure is the Côa Museum, inaugurated in 2010. Reservations can be made here to visit the three nuclei, which are open to the public.

It is also possible to see spear points, parts of tools and material made of stone that has been preserved to this day, traces of human occupation over time.

The museum also regularly presents interesting temporary exhibitions.