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Azenhas Park

Category: Nature > Park

District: Porto > Trofa > São Martinho > Parque das Azenhas

Location

The Parque das Azenhas stretches along the left bank of the River Ave, in the locality of São Martinho, in Trofa. This green space is located in an area that transitions from the urban zone of Trofa to a more natural and tranquil environment, accompanying the course of the river. The route extends from the vicinity of the old Iron Bridge, a historic railway bridge, to the area where the Azenha de Bairros is located.

Its location offers visitors a contrasting experience, where one can observe the landscape gradually changing from a more built-up setting to a scene where the river's nature becomes predominant, offering a serene refuge a short distance from the center of Trofa.

The River Ave and the Riverside Landscape

The River Ave is the central element of this park, shaping its identity and the beauty of the surrounding landscapes. The revitalization of this riverside front had as its main objective to bring the population closer to its river once again, creating a space that is simultaneously a park and a natural area.

Along the route, the tranquility of the Ave's waters and banks is constant, providing a calm environment. The river's natural beauty, with its jetties and weirs, invites contemplation and relaxation, making it a pleasant place for those seeking a break from routine or direct contact with the aquatic environment and riparian vegetation.

The Legacy of the Water Mills

The name "Parque das Azenhas" honors the ancient structures scattered along the river, testimonies of other times when the force of water powered mills for various activities. These water mills, although not visitable, are important cultural landmarks that enrich the route with a sense of local history and tradition.

Notable examples include the Azenha Nova, at the eastern end, which is in a good state of conservation and used to grind flax seeds, beans, and cereals. Further west, the Azenha de Sam and the Azenha da Barca, the latter with a history linked to river crossing. Together, these water mills tell part of the region's rural life and economy, functioning as points of interest that interpret the local past.

Route and Natural Environment

The park offers a route of approximately 5.4 kilometers, designed for walks and bike rides, characterized by its low difficulty and flat surface. Most of the path is concrete, complemented by wooden walkways at some points and consolidated gravel accesses. The route is exclusive for non-motorized modes of transport, being forbidden for motorized vehicles or animal-drawn vehicles.

As one advances, the urban scenery gradually gives way to a more rural setting, with the presence of cultivated fields, aquatic birds such as ducks, and other species like kingfishers that find refuge in the riverside trees, such as alders, oaks, and plane trees. This transition offers an experience that mirrors the region's own evolution, blending what Trofa once was and what it is today, in an environment of tranquility.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt

Coordinates DD: 41.34568955022, -8.5642781343612
Coordinates DMS: 41°20'44.5"N 08°33'51.4"W

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