The best road cycling routes around Espadañedo

The Church of Saint Thomas the Apostle, located in the small village of Otero de Sanabria (municipality of Cobreros), is a unique church that combines centuries of history, diverse architectural styles, and an exceptional painted interior that has earned it the nickname "the Sistine Chapel of Sanabria." Romanesque origin (12th century), built on the site of an earlier Suebian or Visigothic temple. It retains the apse and the holy water/baptismal font from the original Romanesque period. Decisive renovations took place between the 17th and 18th centuries, when the Romanesque nave was demolished and the current three naves were built (1717). According to an inscription, the tower was built in 1749, the portico in 1763, the sacristy in 1769, and the Chapel of Souls in 1770.

Rio de Onor is not just a beautiful village; it's a "living museum" of a way of life that has almost disappeared in Europe. It's worth visiting because it is possibly the village with the most fascinating social history in Portugal. Here are the 4 main reasons to go there: 1. It's a Community Village ("Communitarianism") This is Rio de Onor's great trademark. For centuries, the village lived under a system of total sharing among neighbors, something very rare: Sharing of Goods: The bread oven, the watermill, and even the village bull belonged to everyone. The "Rod of Justice": Decisions and fines for infractions in the village were marked on a wooden rod, managed by the "judge" elected by the people. You can see this history explained at the Casa do Touro (House of the Bull), a small, unmissable museum in the village. 2. One Village, Two Countries Rio de Onor is a village bisected by the international border. On this side is Rio de Onor (Portugal); on the other side is Rihonor de Castilla (Spain). For the inhabitants, the border never really existed: they share land, livestock, and even speak their own dialect (Rionorês), an ancient mixture of Portuguese and Castilian. It's very curious to cross from one country to the other on foot in the middle of the main street. 3. The Schist Landscape and Nature Located in the Montesinho Natural Park, the village is visually stunning. The houses are made of dark schist with wooden balconies, typical of Trás-os-Montes, and are very well preserved. The Onor River, which crosses the village, has clear waters and creates a very pleasant natural river beach in the summer, perfect for picnics. 4. The "Roman" Bridge The old stone bridge (which is actually from the 19th century, despite its popular name) is the village's postcard image. The reflection of the arches in the water with the schist houses in the background creates one of the most photogenic landscapes in Northern Portugal. Visiting Rio de Onor is like stepping back in time and understanding how communities survived in isolation in the mountains, supporting each other. It's a lesson in life and history in an incredible natural setting.

Rio de Onor is a sleepy little village right on the Portugal/Spain border. The drive through it is a challenging one and absolutely not recommended for larger campervans.

Rio de Onor is one of the most emblematic villages in Bragança and the Montesinho Natural Park, and was elected the 7th Wonder of Portugal in 2017 – a village in a protected area. Crossing the border with Spain, on one side is Rio de Onor, and on the other, Rihonor de Castilla, which is why it is said to be “one village, two countries”!

very nice place. Was recently voted one of the 10 most beautiful places in Spain. A bit touristy, but not overcrowded

Personally, I don't like this area a lot. I have seen hares, rabbits, deer, wolves and it's always quiet. I always go alone and explore paths

Located in the homonymous region, this picturesque town is the ideal location to stay during a visit to the surrounding towns and places. Declared an asset of cultural interest for its historical architectural complex, it has been a military bastion for decades, since the topography favors its defense, still preserving part of its wall. The Castle of the Counts of Benavente, the Romanesque church of Sta. María del Azogue and the hermitage of S. Cayetano, are places of tourist interest.

Built in the s. XV by the Pimentel family after taking control of the region, the fortress would witness the wars with Portugal in the s. XVIII and the War of Independence, when Portuguese soldiers would face the Serrar Division of the French army.