Category: Civil Architecture > Marker
District: Vila Real > Peso da Régua > Vilarinho dos Freires > Presegueda
Granite Marker 16 is located in the Presegueda region, a specific area within the locality of Vilarinho dos Freires. This locality belongs to the municipality of Peso da Régua, in the district of Vila Real, at the heart of the vast and emblematic Douro Demarcated Region. Its position is privileged, typically surrounded by the undulating landscape of vineyards, terraces, and, at times, by the subtle proximity of watercourses that characterise this area, a deeply rural environment with views that capture the essence of wine heritage.
This marker is a silent testament to a crucial chapter in the history of the Douro region. As a numbered granite marker, it is part of a demarcation system that, over the centuries, was established to demarcate the original and unalterable borders of the world's first demarcated wine region. Its existence underscores the historical importance of defining and protecting the quality of wines produced in this area, an effort dating back to the mid-18th century, bestowing immense cultural and historical value upon these simple, yet significant, monuments.
Each of these markers, including number 16, represents a physical affirmation of legality and tradition, serving as a reminder of the pioneering vision that shaped the unique identity of the Douro. They are elements that lend authenticity and depth to the cultural landscape.
Granite Marker 16 is, in its essence, a robust and functional piece, sculpted from granite, a material abundant in the region and chosen for its durability and resistance to weathering. Its formal simplicity contrasts with the profound importance it holds: a symbol of the permanence and legitimacy of a historically defined territory. The stone, worn by time and the elements, tells a story of centuries of delimitation and defense of an incalculable heritage.
The number "16" engraved on the stone indicates its position within a wider network of markers, each contributing to the precise delineation of areas of excellent wine production. It is an element that invites reflection on human effort in organising and preserving such a unique territory, and how stone can hold memories of age-old decisions.
The location where Granite Marker 16 is situated is a setting of remarkable natural and cultural beauty. Visitors will find a landscape dominated by vineyard terraces, meticulously carved into the hillsides. These terraces, many of them built manually over generations, are an impressive example of human adaptation to the terrain and the arduous work dedicated to viticulture, representing a perfect symbiosis between nature and human intervention.
The presence of the marker in this rural environment reinforces the intrinsic link between built heritage and the natural landscape, both fundamental elements for the classification of the Alto Douro Wine Region as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a point of quietude that allows one to appreciate the harmony between nature and human intervention, and how both complement each other in creating a unique legacy.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.17693366,-7.74820009
Coordinates DMS: 41°10'37.0"N 07°44'53.5"W
Weather Vilarinho dos Freires
On-duty Pharmacy Vilarinho dos Freires
