Caldas de Aregos

Category: Civil Architecture > Marina

District: Viseu > Resende > Caldas de Aregos

Location

Caldas de Aregos is located along the banks of the River Douro, in the municipality of Resende. The place is shaped by its own geography, with a cluster of buildings extending up the hillside, forming a kind of natural amphitheater facing the river. This particular configuration offers a unique perspective on the surrounding landscape, which is characterized by its natural beauty.

The Thermal Legacy

This place is renowned for its long history as a thermal spa resort. Since the 12th century, its waters have been valued, with records indicating the construction of a hospice ordered by Queen D. Mafalda, an initial landmark for the thermal facilities that developed over the centuries. Popular tradition states that even D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, sought relief in its sulfur-rich waters, highlighting the antiquity and importance of this place for well-being.

The Virtues of the Waters

The waters of Caldas de Aregos, captured at a temperature of 62ºC, are notable for their composition. They are characterized by being sulfurous, bicarbonated, and sodium-rich, with an alkaline pH. These characteristics lend them properties that, over time, have been associated with health benefits, making them a point of interest for those seeking their natural virtues. Their particular mineralization has historically been the main attraction of this place.

Memories of the Douro

The connection of Caldas de Aregos to the Douro is intrinsic, and an element that evokes riverside history and culture is the memory of the "Barca d'Aregos". This boat recalls the old "barcas de por Deus" (God's ferries), which in bygone times played a fundamental role in connecting the two banks of the river. This aspect reflects human interaction with the river and the traditions of passage that marked local life for centuries.

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