Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Vila Real > Mesão Frio > Vale Pentieiro > Outeiro
Located in the serene locality of Vale Pentieiro, in the Outeiro area, Mesão Frio, the Rancho Folclórico da Casa do Povo de Barqueiros (Folkloric Ranch of the Barqueiros Community Center) is situated in a region intimately connected to the Douro and its wine-growing landscape. This geographical setting grants it a natural connection to the traditions it represents, immersed in the heart of an area of great cultural and scenic significance.
Founded in 1935, the Rancho Folclórico da Casa do Povo de Barqueiros established its deep roots in the history and people of the region. Its essence derives directly from the legacy of the Douro riverboatmen, central figures in riverside life, and the day laborers, the rural workers who shaped the slopes for vine cultivation. This dual inspiration reflects the intense relationship of the people with the river and the land, pillars of Duriense identity.
The repertoire of the Rancho Folclórico da Casa do Povo de Barqueiros is a vivid mirror of local life and customs. Its dances and songs narrate stories of the Douro riverboatmen, from the rituals of faith that accompanied the departure of the rabelo boats to the celebration of their return to the village. Also present is the representation of agricultural traditions, particularly the vine cycle and the importance of the grape harvest, a period that mobilizes the community in the task of grape picking. The uniqueness of this ranch lies in the richness of its rhymes and verbal expressions, its rhythmic originality, and distinctive choreographies, aspects that have aroused the interest of specialists in anthropology and ethnography. Its projection extends beyond local borders, with performances held in various parts of the country and in several European nations.
More than a folklore group, the Rancho Folclórico da Casa do Povo de Barqueiros is a guardian of the cultural legacy of Mesão Frio and the Douro region. Through its performances, it keeps alive the collective memory of a people, their labors, their celebrations, and their deep connection to the land and the river. It represents the continuity of traditions, offering an authentic expression of Duriense identity, transmitting to new generations and visitors the richness of an intangible heritage.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.1348022,-7.902537
Coordinates DMS: 41°08'5.3"N 07°54'9.1"W
Weather Vale Pentieiro
On-duty Pharmacy Vale Pentieiro
