THE REGION

Penafiel is located in the district of Porto, in an interfluvial area demarcated by the rivers Tâmega and Sousa that flow into the river Douro.

It’s the second oldest city in the north of Portugal, with more than 250 years. Town known until the 18th century by the name Arrifana de Sousa.

Penafiel offers tradition, heritage, typicality, landscape and unique flavors.

The architectural and natural history has left visible marks in the region that allows visitors to have a memorable cultural and landscape experience. Proof of this are: the Romanesque Route with monuments like monasteries and churches, walking routes through old rural paths in the middle of nature, the recovered mills (bread cycle) and preserved rural villages such as the village of Quintandona, classified as “Aldeia de Portugal” (typical portuguese rural village).

Regional cuisine can be tasted in local restaurants or at Casa Valxisto - Country House where portuguese stew, typical dry soups, kid roasted in the oven are some of the delicacies to taste accompanied by the region's green wine or the Douro wine.

Founded in 1948, the Municipal Museum of Penafiel is located in the historic center of the city. It currently has several living extensions, including the preserved rural village of Quintandona. Endowed with a strong multimedia component, it was nominated in 2010 for the “Best European Museum of the Year” award and in the same year it was considered the best portuguese museum.

About 8km from the house is “Castro de Monte Mozinho” or “Cidade Morta de Penafiel”. It was a Castro village from Roman times, founded in the 1st century.

Fortified with two lines of walls, and with approximately 22 hectares, it presents several urban reforms, being possible to observe several types of construction, from nuclei of patio houses of Castro tradition, with circular compartments and vestibule, to the complex Roman dwellings of square plan or rectangular.

Also noteworthy is the 1st century wall, at the entrance of which were two statues of Galactic warriors. The top of the castro is crowned by the acropolis, bounded by a thick wall and barren in interior constructions. There, various activities would take place, such as games, assemblies, the market, etc…

The excavations at Castro de Monte Mozinho started in 1943, and the collection can be seen at the Municipal Museum of Penafiel.

The proximity of the Douro offers the opportunity to be dazzled by the landscapes of the vineyards on a boat or train ride; have lunch overlooking the vineyards; feel history through the best wines in the world and at the end of the day, return to the tranquility of Casa Valxisto - Country House.

Casa Valxisto - Country House is located in the middle of three places classified as World Heritage, the historic center of the city of Porto, the historic center of the city of Guimarães and the Douro wine region, being the ideal place to start your discovery …

THE OLD VILLAGE OF QUINTANDONA

Inhabited since the beginning of portuguese civilization, the preserved rural village of Quintandona is a place in the parish of Lagares e Figueira, municipality of Penafiel. It is classified as “Aldeia de Portugal”, being a typical preserved village, with a unique beauty and architecture. Its architectural characteristics, which combine shale / slate with yellow granite, and the agricultural and forest landscape that surrounds it, justify the fervent search for this place.

The Village is a living nucleus of the Municipal Museum of Penafiel.

THE ROMANESQUE ROUTE

A Route founded on the memories of the Romanesque, which invites you to an inspiring journey to places with history, together with singular monastic groups, monasteries, churches, chapels, memorials, bridges, castles and manorial towers, matured in land forged with green, full of knowledge and flavors.

There are monuments distributed over three visit routes, “Vale do Sousa”, “Vale do Douro” and “Vale do Tâmega”, in 12 counties, Amarante, Baião, Castelo de Paiva, Celorico de Basto, Cinfães, Felgueiras, Lousada, Marco de Canaveses, Paços de Ferreira, Paredes, Penafiel and Resende.
Discover a Route of Romanesque monuments, built between the 11th and 14th centuries.

Casa Valxisto - Country House is inserted in the visit route of the Vale do Sousa, in the proximity of several monuments, among them the Monastery of Salvador de Paço de Sousa, Monastery of São Pedro de Cête, Tower of Castelo de Aguiar de Sousa, Church São Miguel de Entre-os-Rios, among others.

This legacy transports you to the foundation of the Nationality and illustrates the importance of this territory in the history of the nobility and religious orders in Portugal.

For more information is available a mobile application that presents its monuments and the tourist offer of the region in a geolocalized form or access www.rotadoromanico.com.

THE “VINHO VERDE” ROUTE

The “Vinho Verde” (Green wine) is unique in the world for its flavors and aromas, being the result of cultivated castrates and regional environmental characteristics. The Green Wine route has its limits in the demarcated region of Green Wine and covers 49 counties in the Northwest of Portugal, which provide visits to entirely different places in terms of history, culture and landscape. It gives visitors the chance to get to know a piece of Portugal, through wine and of course its culture.

It should be noted that this route provides us with unique moments of wine and gastronomy tasting, transporting us throughout the years through the history of Portugal, in the World Heritage Cities and in a panoply of monuments from various eras.

In Penafiel, one of the largest producers of green wine is located, Quinta da Aveleda. Here you can stroll through its magnificent gardens and do a wine and cheese tasting (service with mandatory reservation).

For more information, please visit www.rota.vinhoverde.pt or www.vinhoverde.pt.

FESTIVITIES AND EVENTS

Quintandona Festival

The passion for the preserved rural village of Quintandona brought all the inhabitants together in pursuit of a single objective: to make Quintandona known to the world. They joined forces and created “A Festa do Caldo” (The Soup Feast). It’s a street party that takes place within the perimeter of the village, it’s held every year on the third weekend of September. It combines moments of cultural entertainment with the typical and delicious cuisine of the region.

Flower Festival

The Flower Festival is a project of the Business Association of Penafiel and takes place annually in May. It lasts for three days and takes place in the historic city center. This project promotes the municipality's floriculture and stimulates the traditional commerce of the historic area.

AGRIVAL

AGRIVAL is an agricultural fair, the largest in northern Portugal, whose purpose is to showcase the potential of the municipality. It takes place annually between the month of August and September and lasts for ten days. It’s a fair where we can find agricultural products, machinery, cattle, handicrafts, fashion, services and technology. Along with all this diversity, visitors can also enjoy gastronomy, music and entertainment, colloquia and competitions for typical products. The fair attracts an average of 120 thousand people annually and has been held for over thirty years.

S. Martinho

The S. Martinho celebration is held annually from 10 to 20 November. This secular pilgrimage has as particularity the tasting of new wine, wine from the last harvest and roasted chestnuts, which are not lacking these days in the city of Penafiel. Visitors can also taste the famous pies of S. Martinho and other delicacies, buy or enjoy clothing, footwear, hardware, tools, agricultural machinery, cattle and handicrafts.

S. Martinho is the patron saint of the parish of Lagares, which includes the preserved rural village of Quintandona and is celebrated on the 11th of November.

Body of God

Penafiel has celebrated the Body of God, catholic ceremony, for more than 240 years with an imposing procession, a sign of the strong religious belief of the people of the land.