Walter Quianica Junho 26, 2022 0 comentários

Soajo Guide Peneda-Gerês | Portugal Visitor

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Soajo, Peneda-Gerês National Park

Soajo

The River Lima near Soajo, Peneda-Gerês National Park

Soajo is a small, remote village of around 1,000 people in northern Portugal. It is about 50 km south of Monção on the Spanish border and 40 km northeast along the River Lima from Ponte de Lima. Heading east the frontier with Spain is just 8 km away.

The village is known for its granite espigueiros (grain houses) – 18th and 19th century structures raised above the ground on stilts to protect them from rodents.

Soajo is one of the highlights of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, Portugal’s only national park along with the nearby villages of Lindoso and Paradamonte.

Espigueiros (grain houses) in Soajo - the crosses on the roofs are to bless the harvest. — Espigueiros (grain houses) in Soajo – the crosses on the roofs are to bless the harvest

Attractions

Around 20 or so espigueiros dot the village and give the place a slightly eerie feel with their rooftop crosses and time-worn exteriors.

There is also an historic pelourinho or pillory – a symbol of medieval authority and punishment – in the village. It is believed to date from the 17th century but historians are unsure. The village itself received its foral or charter from King Manuel in 1514.

A short hike east from Soajo is a single arched, stone bridge – the Ponte da Ladeira over crystal clear water.

In the mountains around Soajo are a number of prehistoric tombs – dolmen. The best-preserved of these is the Anta Grande do Mezio (Large Dolmen of Mezio), 10 minutes west by car on the N202.

The remote village of Soajo. — The remote village of Soajo

Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business. — Goods From Japan delivered to your home or business

Lindoso is a similar settlement to Soajo and is a short 20-minute drive east past the Alto-Lindoso Dam (Barragem do Alto-Lindoso, the largest hydroelectric plant in Portugal). There are more granite granaries and the ruins of a medieval castle.

Parada de Lindoso is a small hamlet 3 km west of Lindoso with more espigueiros and 5 km from here the larger settlement of Paradamonte.

Cattle herding is central to this part of Portugal – cows, sheep and goats. You are likely to encounter the herds of livestock kept in common by the villagers as they have been for centuries. Types of cattle in the park include the long-horned Cachena and Barrosã breeds. Goat features on local menus.

Peneda-Gerês National Park. — Peneda-Gerês National Park

National Park Head Office

Av. António Macedo
4704-538 Braga
Tel: 253 203 480
www: natural.pt

Reservations Centre
Largo da Misericórdia, 10
4980-613 Ponte da Barca
Tel: 258 452 250

For information on walking and hiking in the national park see: walkingpenedageres.pt

Getting to Soajo

Train Travel in Portugal

The nearest railway stations to the Peneda-Gerês National Park are Braga Station in Braga and Viana do Castelo Station in Viana do Castelo. From both places hiring a car is probably the best way to explore the area.

Casa Santa Catarina, Montalegre, Portugal. — Casa Santa Catarina, Montalegre, Portugal

Car Travel in Portugal

From Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport in Porto, Soajo is an approximately 90-minute drive on the A3 highway via Braga. From Braga the drive is just over an hour.

Coming west from Montalegre is also about 90 minutes by car with the quickest route going through Spain.

Bus Travel in Portugal

Infrequent Avic buses run from Soajo to Arcos de Valdevez.

There is one bus a day from Ponte da Barca to Lindoso.

Avic operates the following bus services in the region.

Viana do Castelo – Braga
Arcos de Valdevez – Travassos
Monção – Viana do Castelo
Ponte de Lima – Viana do Castelo
Valença – São Pedro Torre
Valença – S. Bento Lagoa
Valença – Fontoura
Valença – Boivão
Paredes de Coura – Valença – Monção
Paredes de Coura – São Bento
Paredes de Coura – S.Pedro Torre – Valença

avic.pt

Ribeira Collection Hotel, Arcos de Valdevez. — Ribeira Collection Hotel Arcos de Valdevez

Portugal Hotel & Hostel Accommodation

Soajo has several recommended places to stay mainly guest houses and holiday lets. Casa da Ribô, a traditional granite building converted into a villa, Casa da Touça, with an outdoor pool and garden views and Casa Velha Turismo in Paradamonte.

See here for a full listing of hotel accommodation in Soajo.