Category: Nature > Viewpoint
District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Vila Real > Bairro Comendador Armando Afonso Moreira
The Alto Douro Vinhateiro is a vast region stretching along the banks of the Douro River and its tributaries, in the northern interior of Portugal. Characterized by deep valleys and steep slopes, this unique landscape is accessible from various localities, with Vila Real serving as a reference point for those wishing to explore the area's geographical and cultural diversity. The landscape is dominated by the river, which acts as its backbone, and by the terraces that shape the mountains.
In 2001, UNESCO recognized the Alto Douro Vinhateiro as a World Heritage Site, distinguishing it as the oldest and most regulated demarcated wine region on the planet. This classification is a tribute to the remarkable transformation that humans have brought about in nature over centuries. Through persistent effort, local communities have managed to adapt to challenging conditions, creating a living and productive cultural landscape, driven by the excellence of the wines born here, particularly Port Wine.
The Douro landscape is unmistakable, shaped by its famous terraces. These vineyard platforms, supported by imposing dry-stone schist walls, were carefully sculpted into the hillsides. Observing their geometry is to understand the evolution of agricultural techniques over time. It is possible to identify the older, narrower terraces, predating the phylloxera devastation in the 19th century, and the more recent, wider ones, which allowed for the introduction of more mechanized means. The mastery in constructing these walls is one of the most impressive aspects of the landscape.
The landscape of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro dresses itself in different hues throughout the year, offering a dynamic visual spectacle. In summer, the intense greens of the vineyard prevail. In autumn, the region transforms into a mantle of reds and golds, before taking on the browner, more sober tones of winter. In spring, the white of the almond blossoms punctuates nature's verdant rebirth. The morning mists over the river, the light bathing the slopes, and the characteristic aromas of the earth and fruits enrich the sensory experience of those who traverse this valley.
The culture of wine is deeply rooted in the history of the Alto Douro. From the first human occupations, dating back to prehistory, and the subsequent development of viticulture by the Romans, the region has been a center of wine production. The villages, with their medieval streets and simple-designed houses, and the quintas (wine estates), with their functional architecture, reflect the centuries-old dedication to vine cultivation. This landscape is, in itself, a record of the continuous interaction between nature and human action, which, through generations, has forged a unique cultural identity.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.30550023,-7.74711305
Coordinates DMS: 41°18'19.8"N 07°44'49.6"W
Weather Vila Real
On-duty Pharmacy Vila Real
