Vila Real
The Royal Town of the north
Mateus Palace - Nuno Calvet
Many urban Portuguese from the larger cities come to the Tras os montes to escape from city life and return to the beauty of the countryside and mountains. The region has become a popular place for wealthy Portuguese to buy a second home.
For many years Vila Real was a second home for many of the Portuguese royalty, and the town is filled with houses and palaces from the 16th and 17th century. The fine baroque churches of Vila Real also contribute to the town´s fame, with the 15th century Dominican cathedral being the finest. The Miguelist war of the 19th century began here, with the Count of Amarante raising the bizarre rallying cry of "Death to the Constitution; long live the Absolute King"!
Vila Real's prosperity was maintained by way of the lucrative trade in port and wine, for many years the wine trade to England was based here, before eventually moving to Porto. Boat trips taking the visitor along the lush vegetation and vine yards that line the River Dao can be booked here.
Leaving Vila Real, on the road to Braganca takes one to the Conde de Vila Real's palace of Mateus, built in the 19th century. The palace was designed by Nicolau Nazoni and is regarded as one of the finest private houses of Europe. In 1971 the palace became a private foundation and is home to various music concerts, art exhibitions the King Dinis literary prize. Fans of the rose coloured Mateus wine will recognise this palace as the image that appears on the labels of the famous wine. The elaborate gardens contain a famous Cedar tunnel, made of cedars grown to form a walk-through tunnel 35 metres in length.
Close to Vila Real, is the Natural Park of Alvao containing a wide range of environments, from lush valleys to towering mountains.
Hotels in towns and cities close to Vila Real
Hotels in Amarante
Amarante is a town with an ancient history containing some beautiful architecture and scenery. Amarante is 30 km from Vila Real.....(More)
Hotels in Guimarães
Guimarães was once the capital of Portugal and contains many fine examples of Gothic and Manueline architecture. Close to Guimarães lies the site of a major excavation of ancient Celtic community. Examples of the pottery and ornaments found at the site can be viewed at the Sarmento Museum. Guimaraes is 56 km from Vila Real.....(More)