Category: Civil Architecture > Hydroelectric
District: Bragança > Miranda do Douro > Picote
The International Douro Hydroelectric Dam is majestically situated in the district of Bragança, in the municipality of Miranda do Douro, near the village of Picote. It is strategically located within the deep cliffs that shape the International Douro, the stretch of the river that serves as a natural border between Portugal and Spain. Its location offers a unique perspective on the grandeur of the cross-border landscape, where human intervention is set within a natural scenario of wild and rugged beauty.
The International Douro Hydroelectric Dam is a remarkable testament to 20th-century Portuguese engineering. Its construction, initiated in the 1950s, represented a colossal challenge, given the complexity of the terrain and the magnitude of the work. This imposing structure was conceived to harness the power of the Douro River's waters, transforming it into electrical energy, essential for the country's development. The grandeur of its infrastructures, visible in the dam and its associated components, reflects the ambition and technical expertise of its builders.
Despite its constructed nature, the International Douro Hydroelectric Dam coexists remarkably with the surrounding natural environment. The dam retains the Douro's waters, forming a sheet of water that extends along the cliffs, creating an impressive visual contrast between the rigidity of concrete and the fluidity of water and the millennial rock formations. The vastness of the river and the imposing rocky gorges highlight the scale of the work, inviting contemplation of the fusion between human engineering and the untamed force of Trás-os-Montes nature.
Sources: https://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barragem_de_Picote
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.3782563015322, -6.351690759740816
Coordinates DMS: 41°22'41.7"N 06°21'6.1"W
On-duty Pharmacy Picote
