Serra do Marão: Places to visit (pt.2)

(Part 1- Here!)

Celorico de Basto – O concelho pertencente ao distrito de Braga, constitui com os concelhos vizinhos de Mondim de Basto, Cabeceiras de Basto e Ribeira da Pena, a área conhecida como Terras de Basto.

O Castelo e Mosteiro de Arnóia, a Capela de Nossa Senhora da Oliveira, a Ponte de Arame de Lourido ou o Ladário estão entre os monumentos a conhecer na região.

Os solares brasonados, a aldeia típica de Barrega, a praia fluvial de Fermil e a praia fluvial da Vila são igualmente recomendáveis de visita.

Marco de Canaveses – Concelho de inúmeros recursos naturais, é banhado pelos rios Tâmega, que o atravessa de Noroeste a Sudoeste e pelo Douro, que limita o concelho a Sul.

O Convento de São João Baptista, a Igreja de São Nicolau, a Casa da Ribeira, ou a Igreja Românica do Tabuado estão entre os monumentos históricos.

No artesanato é bastante rico em diversidade: os chapéus de palha, cobres, mantas de farrapos, tecelagem de estopa e linho, cestos de verga, tecelagem de cobertores de lã.

Mesão Frio – Concelho pertencente ao distrito de Vila Real, a sua economia é baseada na agricultura e vinicultura. A Igreja Matriz de Mesão Frio e a Torre de Pilar estão entre os monumentos principais.

Na gastronomia, o doce de donsumil, marrã, falacha e o requeijão são algumas das iguarias locais.

Mondim de Basto – Belonging to the district of Vila Real, has its economy based on agriculture. The Roman bridge, the Solar dos Azevedos, the House of the House, or the Mother Church of Mondim de Basto are some of the monuments to know. Alvão Natural Park is very rich in biodiversity.

Murça – Situated in the eastern-center of the district of Vila Real, and the region of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. The vivacity and the preservation of the customs and traditions of the region are very visible in the crafts, patchwork blankets and clay masks, are some examples. Also outstanding, the production of excellent quality wine that has won several international awards.

The Chapel of the Misericórdia (eighteenth century); the Pelourinho Manuelino; the Medieval Bridge; or the Paços do Concelho are some of the monuments of the region.

Sabrosa – Located in the agricultural sub-region of Alto Douro, belonging to the district of Vila Real. Like all lands linked to the cultivation of vines, cooperage, tinning, basketwork and carpentry strongly mark handicrafts for the municipality.

In gastronomy, highlight the Carne de Carne cake; the roasted kid with rice in the oven, Pão-de-Ló and the tall cavas of Sabrosa.

Santa Marta de Penaguião – It is part of the demarcated region of the Douro, in a municipality belonging to the Northeast Transmontano, district of Vila Real.

The monuments to visit are the Pillory of Santa Marta de Penaguião; the Church of Santa Eulália; the Church of St. John the Baptist and the parish of St. John of Lobrigos.

The rich gastronomy has meats and Pork Sausages with Chestnuts Spices; the kid roasted in the Mud Person; the oven rice in Barropreico’s saucer or the Medrões açorda. In the sweets, we have the Manjar Branco do Douro; Milk-cream and Aletria.

Vila Real- Located 450 meters above sea level, on the right bank of the river Corgo, one of the tributaries of the Douro. It is located on a plateau surrounded by high mountains, where you can see the mountains of Marão and Alvão.

The Cathedral of Vila Real (former church of the Convento de S.Domingos) was built in the 15th century in the Gothic style and is classified as a national monument. The Churches of Misericórdia, Santo António, São Pedro, Clérigos and São Domingos are other prominent places.

In gastronomy, cod baked with rye bread; the piglet to Transmontana; pork sautéed with chestnuts; the guts to the Little Bitches; the Coelho à Transmontana or the soup of Alheiras are considered the main regional dishes.