Attractions and Places To See around São Romão - Top 20

The bridge is really well-made. The view from the bridge is beautiful, even though there's still a lot that could be done with the buildings at the end.

Thank you for sharing the spectacular photos.👍

A charming village with a typically medieval feel, the town still consists of a small, romantic line of houses stretching along a narrow path, Rua Principal, Rua Direita, or simply Rua, since it is the only street in the village. Winemaking, particularly elderberry, a strong presence in the village, continues to be the main source of livelihood. The village's two landmarks stand proudly at the entrance to the old Couto de Salzedas. They are the Tower and the Ucanha Bridge, two rare gems of the Douro Heritage. Some scholars suggest that the Ucanha Bridge, a National Monument, was built on an earlier Roman structure, while others suggest that it already existed in the 12th century. In any case, the current structure, in Gothic style, was built in the 15th century. Next to it stands a robust, square-shaped tower, formerly intended not only to guard the entrance to Couto de Salzedas, but also to allow the collection of tolls to which the Monastery was entitled.

Castelo de Lamego was constructed during the 12th century and was an important defensive structure during the Middle Ages. The castle underwent various renovations over the centuries, with the addition of Gothic and Manueline elements in the 15th and 16th centuries. Today, the castle is mostly in ruins, but visitors can still see the remaining walls, towers, and gates that once surrounded the fortress. The castle is situated on a hill overlooking the city and offers panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

DOC (Denominação de Origem Controlada): Wines that are born in the oldest demarked regions of wine and, therefore, controled by law (ground caracteristics, castes, winemaking, bootleling). That “demarcation” had some twists, torns and stones... Well... cornerstones, named “Marcos Pombalinos”... The duck will scrutinize it 😉 1675 - “Vinho do Porto” comes for the first time with exportation to the Netherlands; 1703 – preferentional rights for Portuguese wines to England. The English were getting out of Bordeux, because the French king was taxing to much the wines... 1756 – English were “crazy” with “Port”. Climate of euphoria degenerates into adulteration and commercial chaos. With this, very important and knowledgeable people, propose to the future Marquês de Pombal, (thats the reason for the names given to the cornerstones, “Marcos Pombalinos”) the birth of one institution that could control the quality, prices and phisically establish the DOC (with the cornerstones); 1757 – placement of 201 “marcos”, cornerstones, for the first demarcation of the land; 1761 – upgrade of the DOC, adding 134 cornerstones; 1792 – opennig of “Cachão da Valeira”. Before that, the boats could only travel “so far”. With that openning/enlargement of Douro river, the “Superior” Douro was now accessible by boat. But the expantion of the vineyards at Douro Superior only began in the 19th century; 1850 to 1893 – the Valley was whipped by many diseases (maromba, oídio, filoxera, míldio...); 1907 – the last demarcation of DOC, now including “Douro Superior”, upstream from “Cachão da Valeira”, till the border with Spain

The medieval bridge over the Varosa River with its tower is a rare example of civil Gothic architecture in Portugal.

The location on the Douro is magnificent. The eventful boat trips on the river begin or end here on the promenade. Two barrages are passed on the way between Régua and Porto.

Very nice pedestrian bridge that goes over the Douro.