This regional page is managed by the Trás-os-Montes Team which is part of the Portugal Project.
Trás-os-Montes
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Trás-os-Montes [ˌtɾaz‿uʒ‿ˈmõtɨʃ]) meaning ‘behind the mountains’[1][2] Is a Province of Portugal Located on the Northeastern corner of Portugal bordering Spain.[1] This means that Trás-os-Montes was since ever characterized for being isolated and their population had no other option than living in a community and survive for themselves.[2] Fortunately, nowadays it is possible to travel from Porto to all the main cities in Trás-os-Montes, in less than two hours.[2] This Province is rich in Historical castles, beautiful river valleys, mountains and nature parks (Gerês and Montesinho) but is also known for its historical and cultural singularities. From the vestiges of Roman occupation such as the Aquae Flaviae (Chaves) Thermal Baths, to the medieval buildings like the Bragança or Montalegre castles; Trás-os-Montes offers a richly built heritage. The cultural heritage is also part of the experience for those who visit the region. In Miranda do Douro, for example, one can find a language spoken only in this municipality, the “Mirandês” and watch the dances of “Pauliteiros”, the heritage of the Celtic occupation of the region during the Iron Age that is accompanied by a touch of harmonica-of-pipe. The cooking in Miranda do Douro (as well as in the rest of the region) is also well known, where you can taste local products such as olive oil, their famous wine, almond, honey, chestnut or the traditional sausages.
History
- King Sancho II (1223-1248) made an attempt to Register its Constitution with no success . Due to the actions of his son, Afonso III, this region went under the royal commission in 1258 and within the direct control of the crown.
Geography & Economy
- The northern region is characterized by rolling hills and dry plateaus.[1][2] The main economy is sustained by the livestock raised there and the fields of grain, especially rye.[1]
- The southern region consists of two valleys with the upper Douro River running through it.[1] It is there that they make port wine and have hydroelectric projects along the river.[1] The Duke who founded Portugal was the first to plant grapevines there; taking them from his native Burgundy.[2]
Locations Within Trás-os-Montes
Districts
- This section does not contain all Districts for Trás-os-Montes. The historical Province of Trás-os-Montes was one of the thirteen regions in continental Portugal. Together with Alto Douro it formed Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro Province. This page contains some of those counties and communities.
Vila Real District
- Vila Real has always belonged to the historical province of Trás-os-Montes
- Vila Real is a rugged area of low mountains and narrow valleys. Historically it had always been cut off from the coast by the Marão, Gerês, and Cabreira mountains until a highway was cut through in the eighties. Due to poor soil, agriculture has always been a struggle, although wine grapes are produced in the south near the Douro River. Potatoes, corn, and rye have always been traditional crops, as well as limited dairy farming. Extensive areas are covered in a pine forest.
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- Counties:
- Alijó
- Boticas
- Chaves
- Mesão Frio
- Mondim de Basto
- Montalegre
- Murça
- Peso da Régua
- Ribeira de Pena
- Sabrosa
- Santa Marta de Penaguião
- Valpaços
- Vila Pouca de Aguiar
- Vila Real
- See this image for Vila Real parishes.
Communities
City of Chaves
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- Chaves is a beautiful city in Trás-os-Montes.
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Editores. "Trás-os-Montes" Enciclopédia Britânica 20 July 1998 (visto 21 Janeiro 2020).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 MWH (Mark William Harding) [(mark#portugaltravelguide.com). "Touring Trás-os-Montes." (Tras os Montes, Portugal on portugaltravelguide.com.) 5 June 2019. [This page contains cultural and climate information on the region. It also contains an interactive Google map.]
