Gondomar
The city of Gondomar is located in the Great Porto, at the “gates” of the capital and on the right bank of the Douro River.
Since pre-historic times there are traces of the first peoples who lived here, and where the Romans left their “mark”, namely the exploitation of the gold mines and the skilful position of the “Crasto” which prove it.
There are many interpretations of the name “Gondomar”, where the most reliable is the one attributed to the Visigoth king “Gundemaro”, who founded a Couto here in 610.
D. Sancho I, granted the first charter to Gondomar in 1193. It was later confirmed by King Afonso II through inquiries. In 1515, in the reign of D. Manuel I, is declared the second charter to the municipality of Gondomar.
The municipality of Gondomar, has through its relationship with the Douro River, an Ethnographic Heritage of unique value. For old customs prove that lamprey fishing and artisanal fishing are here to stay – where they are still practised in the parish of Lomba.
There is also a certain tradition in agriculture, where some farmers still practice traditional agriculture – which is expressed in a certain way of working the land and which has been passed down from generation to generation over the years.
The gastronomy is strongly influenced by the Douro River, and shad and lamprey are the “kings” at the table from January to April. The most relevant are Lamprey à Bordalesa, Lamprey Rice, Shad on the Stick and Açorda de Milharas. In the past, turnip broth was the natural food that strengthened workers during the long and arduous days of work in the fields. Nowadays, its presence at the table of the Gondomarenses is mandatory.
All these traditions are still remembered and every year the Tourism promotes events that are authentic tourist posters for the whole region. Such as the “Shad and Lamprey Festival” or the Gastronomic Festival “Hoje há Caldo de Nabos”.
Besides being an art, handicraft is an economic activity of recognised cultural and social value, which involves the production, restoration or repair of goods of artistic or utilitarian value. The traditional areas are filigree, carving and miniatures of boats connected to the Douro River. Other products are also developed in other areas such as leather and brasswork, basketry, tile and porcelain painting, stained glass, sculpture, women’s work, brooms or miniature agricultural utensils.
Gondomar has signed twinning protocols with some cities – Cidade da Praia (Cape Verde), Feyzin (France), Gondomar (Spain) and Barton (England). These relations and protocol mechanisms – mainly economic and cultural – in which cities from different geographical or political areas establish cooperation links.
To visit:
- S. Cosme Church (Gondomar)
- Rio Tinto Mother Church
- Foz do Sousa Mother Church
- Santo Isidro Chapel
- Rio Tinto Railway Station – Art of Tiling
- Eugénio de Andrade Museum
- Júlio Resende Foundation (Valbom)
- Gramido’s White House (Valbom)
- Casa Grande (Melres)
- Manor House of Montezelo (Fânzeres)
- Bandeirinha Manor House (Melres)
- Bells Foundry (Rio Tinto)
- Cavalete de S. Vicente (S. Pedro da Cova)
- Monte Crasto – Viewpoint
- Labercos Viewpoint (Lomba)
- Urban Park of Quinta das Freiras
- Foz do Sousa Bridge
- Douro River
- Granaries
Activities:
Festivities and pilgrimages:
- Pilgrimage to Nossa Senhora do Rosário, São Cosme e São Damião (Festa das Nozes), in October