Page 283 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

EAT

Aloha Surf Bar
Choose to sit on the
terrace facing the fine
beach at Vila do Conde,
or in the contemporary
interior. There is a good-
value lunchtime buffet,
as well as à la carte
dishes, such as mixed
meat grills
! D2 ⌂ Via Pedonal
Manuel de Barros, Vila
13 Old Portuguese galleon do Conde § 252 618 886
docked in the harbour
Valença do Minho at Vila do Conde ¢ Mon & dinner
! D1 £ @ n Paiol do ¡¡¡
Campo de Marte; 251
823 329 The 18th-century Casa do Poço Design & Wine
presents symmetrical windows
Set in a commanding position and wrought-iron balconies. This chic, modern
on a hilltop overlooking the The Convento de Ganfei, restaurant serves a
Minho, Valença is an attractive 5 km (3 miles) east of Valença good range of petiscos
border town. Valença do on the N101, was recon- (Portuguese tapas)
and a mixture of
Minho’s old quarter is set in structed in the 11th century
Portuguese and
the narrow confines of two by a Norman priest. The international dishes,
double-walled forts, shaped convent retains exceptional which are all served
like crowns and linked by a Roman esque features, includ- with excellent
causeway. During the reign ing ornamental animal and local wines
of Sancho I (1185– 1211), the plant motifs and vestiges of
! D1 ⌂ Praça do
town was named Contrasta, medieval frescoes. To visit Conselheiro Silva
due to its position facing the the chapel, ask for the key Torres 8, Caminha
Spanish town of Tui. at the house opposite. ∑ designwinehotel.com
The forts date from the
17th and 18th centuries and ¡¡¡
were designed according to 14
the prin ciples of the French
archi tect Vauban. There are Vila do Conde
fine views from the ramparts ! D2 £ @ n Rua 25 de
across the river into Galicia. Abril 103; 252 248 473 The Praça Vasco da Gama has
Although the town was briefly an pillory in the shape of an
captured by Napoleonic This small town enjoyed its arm with thrusting sword – a
troops in 1807, its formidable boom years as a ship building vivid warning to wrong doers.
bastions resisted subsequent centre in the Age of Discovery Border ing the square is the
shelling and attacks from (p44); today it is a quiet fishing 16th-century Igreja Matriz,
across the river in 1809. port. In the historic centre, the with its Manueline portico,
Lining the cobbled alleys of main attraction is the Mosteiro attributed to João de Castilho.
the old quarter are shops full de Santa Clara, founded in The town is a centre for
of linen, wickerwork, pottery 1318. The Gothic church lace making. Visitors can buy
and handicrafts to tempt the contains the tombs of the samples and see the skills at
thousands of Spanish visitors nunnery’s founders, Dom the Escola de Rendas (lace-
who stroll across the bridge to Afonso Sanches (son of King making school). The same
shop. South of the ramparts is Dinis) and his wife Dona Teresa building houses the Museu de
the newer part of town. Martins. The entire building is Rendas (Lace Museum).
In Praça de São Teotónio, closed for redevelopment. By
Casa do Eirado (1448) boasts the Mosteiro de Santa Clara Escola de Rendas
a crenellated roof and late- are parts of the imposing ⌂ Rua de Sāo Bento 70
Gothic window, adorned 5-km (3-mile) aqueduct, built § 252 248 470 # Tue–Sun
with the builder’s signature. in 1705–14, with 999 arches. ¢ Public hols
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