Caldas de Moledo Thermal Park

Category: Nature > Park

District: Vila Real > Mesão Frio > Oliveira

Location

The Caldas de Moledo Thermal Park is located in the town of Oliveira, in the municipality of Mesão Frio. This site is situated by the banks of the Douro River, benefiting from a striking natural environment in the Demarcated Region. Its historical position was strategically enhanced by its proximity to important communication routes, including the river, road, and rail routes that connect the region.

The Thermal Origins

The waters of Caldas de Moledo have long been recognized for their particularity. The history of the park and the development of this area is deeply linked to the exploitation and valorization of these thermal springs, which over the centuries attracted visitors in search of their unique properties. This water heritage constitutes the foundation upon which the entire complexity of the site was built, being its central and most symbolic element.

The Legacy of D. Antónia

A decisive milestone in the history of the Caldas de Moledo Thermal Park occurred in the mid-19th century. In 1863, Francisco José Silva Torres, married to the notable D. Antónia Adelaide Ferreira, known as "Ferreirinha," acquired the waters and surrounding property. Under their joint vision and investment, the thermal baths experienced remarkable development. They were responsible for the construction of a Palacete, the improvement of the existing Balneary Resort, and the expansion of the old Hospedaria do Lidoro, transforming it into the imposing Grande Hotel. They also ceded land for the creation of the park itself and promoted scientific studies to analyze the properties of the waters, demonstrating an innovative approach for the time.

A Center of Past Life

The fame and demand for the thermal waters of Caldas de Moledo boosted the growth and vitality of the area, transforming it into a true social and economic center. The influx of bathers led to the construction of various infrastructures that, as a whole, created an environment of leisure and well-being. In the past, there were facilities such as a Casino, several other hotels, houses for bathers, private chapels, and a series of commercial establishments. This set of buildings and services complemented the thermal experience, making the Caldas de Moledo Park a privileged meeting and accommodation point in the Douro Demarcated Region, standing out as the only thermal baths in the region with this historical and heritage dimension.

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