Villa Cardosa, 4 Bedrooms, Viana do Castelo

Images of Villa Cardosa, 4 Bedrooms, Viana do Castelo

 

View my gallery

 

The Costa Verde Region

Minho Region - Northern Portugal
The enchanting beauty of its landscape is truly astonishing - vineyards, sandy beaches, tranquil riverside towns, busy market's, beaches and Europe's great wilderness - Peneda-Geres National Park .

Portugal's most fertile region lies between the Spanish province of Galicia to the north and the Douro Valley to the south. Occupying the country's north western corner, the lush green Minho region is often described as Costa Verde (Green Coast), a reference to the lush green and well watered landscape. It is an area of great natural beauty with acres of green forests, many rivers, profilic vineyards (grapes are grown everywhere) and historic towns. A beautiful mix of sweeping bays and beaches, some anonymous and deserted, others well known such as Ofir, Moledo and Esposende. Crystal clear rivers and lagoons, perfect for swimming, can also be found in the Minho area. Minho's landscape has an artistic diversity (Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Baroque) well displayed in the many chapels, churches and monasteries in the valleys of Minho, Lima, Cavado and Ave rivers. Bordered by Spain is Portugal's only official national park, the Peneda-Geres.

BARCELOS
Between Braga and the Atlantic coast is the town of Barcelos. From its origins as a settlement in Roman times, Barcelos is one of the prettiest places in the north of Portugal and the ceramics centre of Portugal. The XIV century was a period of great development and dynamic growth for Barcelos, displayed by the building of the bridge, the city walls, of which there still remains the Torre da Porta Nova, the Paço dos Duques and the Igreja Matriz. The walled historic centre is a medieval maze of streets overlooking the river Cavado, with a striking Baroque church on the main square. The town's large weekly market every Thursday is a major attraction for locals and tourists alike. It is one of the largest in Europe and the range of goods on sale is astonishing.
BRAGA
The earliest capital of Portuguese Catholicism is an ancient Celtic city with more than 300 churches. Religious processions are major events here, especially during Easter Week or the Festival of St. John the Baptist in June. These are wonderful opportunities to visit Braga, touring its Historic Centre or reliving the Pilgrimages to Santiago that would pass through here.Outside the city, there is the Way of the Marian Sanctuaries, the particular charm of the Cordophone Museum and the Baroque splendour of Bom Jesus do Monte, an important pilgrimage shrine.
CAMINHA
Proudly situated opposite Spain at the mouth of the enchanting River Minho, this fortified border town where several battles were fought between Portugal and Spain is almost surrounded by water.
There are delightful 15th and 16th century buildings near the main square - of particular interest is the Clock Tower Crenellated tower belonging to the medieval city walls.
Standing on a tiny island in the middle of the estuary are the ruins of the fort of Ínsua, built to defend the entrance to the river in the fifteenth century. A daily ferry-boat links the two banks of the river (Portugal and Spain).
ESPOSENDE
Flanked by lush green pine forests, Esposende is an old fishing village with some admirable old buildings and airy town squares. Boasting an idyllic setting on the estuary of the River Cavado, approximately 50 kms. north of Oporto, at the time of the Portuguese Maritime Discoveries, Esposende was an important fishing and sea port.
Nowadays, is a popular resort town due to the area's excellent bathing conditions. The coastal strip stretching from Esposende to Ofir and Fao has been classified as a protected landscape area and is considered to be one of the most beautiful stretches of Portugal´s northern coastline. Various shops and a good choice of restaurants and cafes can be found on the coastal road.
GUIMARAES
The undisputed birthplace of the country which still possesses many reminders of its past glory. When Afonso Henriques proclaimed himself the first king of Portugal in 1139, he chose Guimaraes as his capital.
If you would like to see the city at its most magnificent, you should drive up the 4 mile road to the top of Monte da Penha, from where you will have the chance to enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramic views in the north of Portugal. This road will take you past the Pousada de Santa Marinha da Costa, an old convent founded by D. Mafalda de Sabóia, the wife of D. Afonso Henriques.
On 13 December 2001, UNESCO inscribed the historical centre of the city of Guimarães on the list of World Heritage.
PAREDES DE COURA
Situated in a region that has many sites of great archaeological interest, Paredes de Coura was particularly important during the Wars of Restoration fought between Portugal and Spain in the seventeenth century. Of particular interest is Sao Pedro de Rubiaes church dating back from the 13th century, built in romanesque style.
In recent years, the town has begun to attract large crowds of young people in August due to the music festival held on the banks of the River Coura.
PONTE DA BARCA
Situated in a luxuriant green region by the banks of the River Lima, Ponte da Barca is thought to have taken its name form the boat (barca) that connected the two banks before the bridge (ponte) was built in the fifteenth century. The town´s historical centre has a number of manor houses and some beautiful monuments dating from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century that are worth a visit, just like the surrounding area, where two monuments of special interest are the thirteenth-century Romanesque church at Bravaes and the castle at Lindoso (XIII century), which played such an important role in the defence of the region.
Part of the municipality is included in the Peneda-Geres National Park, which has excellent facilities for sports and leisure activities.
PONTE DE LIMA
The River Lima is crossed at this point by a Roman bridge that gave its name to this very ancient and very beautiful town, which received its first charter in 1125 from D. Teresa, the mother of the first king of Portugal. Ponte de Lima is at the centre of a rich farming region, where the famous vinho verde is produced. This is the area of the country where the greatest number of manor houses and palaces can be be found. The old centre of the town is a delight with its narrow streets and shops displaying their smoked hams and sausages. There is a wide choice of restaurants around the main square and along the river bank. In September, the town enjoys an event known as the Feiras Novas (New Fairs). This is the town festival, which includes a huge market, fireworks, a funfair, carnival costumes and a brass band competition. An excellent golf course is set on a hillside just outside town, while the surrounding countryside is superb for walkers.
POVOA DE LANHOSO
Situated in the heart of the vinho verde demarcated wine region, Povoa de Lanhoso is famous for its granite quarrying and cutting industries and its remarkable goldsmith´s work (filigree). The castle built on the top of the hill known as Monte do Pilar is the most important monument in the region - it stands on the largest granite monolith in Portugal, perhaps even in the whole of the Iberian Peninsula. According to tradition, D. Teresa, the mother of the first king of Portugal was held prisoner there in the twelfth century after the Battle of Sao Mamede, in which mother and son fought on opposite sides.
In the seventeenth century, the monastery of Nossa Senhora do Pilar was built next to the castle. In the nearby village of Fonte Arcada is a twelfth-century Romanesque church that is well worth a visit. An adventure park is set in the mountains, a short drive from the town centre.
VALENÇA
Standing on the border with Spain and overlooking the River Minho, Valença is surrounded by walls and displays all the characteristic features of a town that was fortified in the style of the French military architect, Vauban.
Its first name was "Contrasta", which referred to a village standing opposite another one and was clearly a reference to its position directly across the River Minho from the Galician town of Tui. The old town of Valenca is virtually intact with cobbled streets and stone houses with iron balconies, surrounded by 17th century granite ramparts.
VIANA DO CASTELO
Viana do Castelo was founded in the thirteenth century by D. Afonso III, the king of Portugal, under the name of Viana da Foz do Lima. Until the sixteenth century, the town belonged exclusively to the common people, and the nobility were forbidden to settle here. When its doors were finally opened, Viana was suddenly enriched with palaces, churches, convents and fountains forming a remarkable heritage that is well worth a visit.
Nowadays, Viana is a lively fishing and ship-building port, famous for its winding streets and ancient monuments. Sitting comfortably between the Lima estuary and the base of rolling hills, the town is also noted for its pottery and regional handicrafts, most of which can be purchased in the Friday market. In the centre of town, Praca da Republica is one of the most handsome squares in Portugal, constructed in the 16th century.
Cabedelo beach has been often described as one of the most beautiful in the whole country. Dancers, musicians and other celebrants, wearing traditional local costumes, come from all over the country to take part in the four day festa (3rd week of August), the most spectacular in Portugal.
VIEIRA DO MINHO
Located in a very mountainous and forested region, the municipality of Vieira do Minho is an ideal place to spend one's leisure moments, with the lakes formed by the dams of Canicada and Ermal being extraordinarily beautiful.
Scattered all over the region are a number of small villages that still maintain their long-standing and typically rural customs. During the first weekend of October, the town comes alive with the holding of its Feira da Ladra, a huge flea market at which everything is sold, with the special highlights being the typical regional handicraft.

 

Viana do Castelo Area

PORTUGAL - VIANA DO CASTELO
The history of Viana started on Monte de Santa Luzia on which there is now a modern temple. For the young and fit the climb to the top of the dome (Zimborium) will be memorable.
.
Behind the temple there is a Pousada standing next to the old hill top village with the remains of many Celtic stone huts. This old village was inhabited from about 2000 BC until 1500 AD.
Its decline began with the Roman invasion of Portugal since the Roman legions had to be fed and to achieve this they made the hunter/gatherers living in these hilltop Celtic villages move down into the valleys to become farmers.

Explorers and colonists set sail from Viana but its wealth came from trade with Brazil and the town and countryside has many fine houses built by these wealthy men. Many of them have partially opened to the public, in return for state funds for restoration, by operating a very high class bed and breakfast establishment.
The Praca da Republica, which is just outside the old part of the town, is a fine square with the old miseriacordia and the former town hall.

The old town, a relative term, has narrow streets and alleys and cathedral. within its area is also the old hospital (now the tourist office). It still retains its Jewish quarter whose original inhabitants were fleeing from persecution in Aragon, Spain.


When the merchants became wealthy from the trade with Brazil and other colonies, they were able to build many fine houses in and around the town. Also favoured was further up the river valley where Ponte de Lima is now situated. Attached to the Misericordia is a 17th Century Church with fine tiles decorated with pictures from the Old Testament. The square also contains a fountain constructed in 1553 and the 16th Century old Town Hall.

Many of the fine houses built by the merchants have been preserved but now have different uses. This makes it a very interesting town to walk around.



It is not admitted in Porto, but the first Port Wine originated from Viana. It was red wine fortified with brandy which the sailors took with them when fishing on the Grand Banks in Newfoundland. This was exchanged for nets from England where it arrived as Portugal wine, later shortened to Port Wine.

When the port silted up about 150 years ago the trade moved to Vila Nova de Gaia on the opposite side of the Douro river to Porto.

The wine of the region is called Vinho Verde (literal translation 'green wine') which comes in either red or white varieties. Green in this case probably refers to a young wine. The wine is naturally slightly sparkling and works especially well with the fish caught from this port.

The surrounding countryside is of small fields within granite walls. The grapes are grown around the edge of these fields and in the centre are the cabbage on the corn. The corn is used to make maize bread and also to feed the animals which are kept underneath the houses.


Walking along the paths in the villages, or the tracks that go across the mountains is very rewarding for the energetic.

Viana has traditionally been linked with trading by sea. There is a very busy, modern shipyard but there are still smaller boat builders building wooden fishing boats on the beach or, under cover.

During the third week of August, Viana is home to one of the world's major 'festas' in honour of Nossa Senhora de Agonia. There are three days of processions, dancing, bullfights etc. finishing with a spectacular firework display.

In the fishing quarter the streets are decorated with flowers over which the statue of the Madonna is carried. The town is full of people in national dress, the 'traje'. For males looking for a wife looks are not as important as the dowry she will bring in the form of the gold worn with the national costume.

 

Getting There

Nearest Travel Links

• Airport: Oporto (70 km)

 

Suitable types of Holiday Viana do Castelo

• Fishing
• Golf Course
• Horse riding
• Tennis courts
• Watersports
• Sailing
• Mountain Biking
• Diving
• Swimming
• Walking
• Surfing
• Waterskiing
• Windsurfing

 

•  Property
•  Gallery
•  Contact Owner
•  Print
•  Send to Friend

Exterior Facilities in Villa Cardosa, 4 Bedrooms, Viana do Castelo

• Balcony/Terrace
• BBQ
• Parking space
• Private garden
• Secure parking

 

Rental Details

The booking can only be finalized with 25% NET (bank transfer) of the total payment that is deducted from total payment.
250 euros as a Damage Deposit that is returned on day of check-out if all is well with house.
Price includes following expenses:gas, electricity,water,sheets and towels
Price of final cleaning :50euros, supplement for heating depending on the season
Holiday rental : from Saturday to Saturday

 

Facilities in Villa Cardosa, 4 Bedrooms, Viana do Castelo

• Cooker
• DVD player
• Freezer
• Fridge
• Iron
• Linen provided
• Microwave
• Television
• Toaster
• Towels provided
• Washing machine

Bedrooms / Bathrooms

• Bedrooms (4)
• Bathrooms (2)
• WCs (2)

 

Sleeps a Maximum of 6 people:

• Single Beds (2)
• Double Beds (2)
• Sofa Beds (1)

 

Furniture

• Dining Seats (8)
• Lounge Seats (8)