The town of Resende is located on the left bank of the Douro River, 25 km from Lamego and 25 km from Cinfães.

The toponym – Resende, seems to be of Visigothic origin. It is believed to have been attributed by D. Rausendo Herminges, who was the great-grandson of King Ramiro II of León and who would have reconquered these lands from the Moors.

This entire region has been populated since prehistoric times. There are still vestiges from that time that have survived to our days, such as the tumuli or the dolmens of S. Cristóvão. However, later, the presence of the Lusitanian people and the Celts in these lands is confirmed at Castro da Mogueira – in São Martinho de Mouros, at Penedo de São João and at the Cárquere hill, where there are clear traces of ancient castros.

In Roman times, Resende was part of the province of Lusitania. Their villages were connected to each other by countless roads paved with huge paving stones and bordered with milestones that indicated the distances, mile by mile.

Various peoples inhabited the region after the decadence of the Roman Empire, such as the Suevi or the Visigoths, who also contributed to the further development of the whole region.

On 16th July 1514, King Manuel I gave Resende its first charter.

Resende has a gastronomy that is among the best in the north of the country, where smoked meats are highly appreciated. Cured ham, chorizo or salpicão are a must at any meal in these parts. The oven-roasted lamb is the most typical dish of the region, but the bazulaque is also much appreciated. The famous cavacas, the rosquilhos de Aregos, the torradas do Barreiro and the falachas make the delights of the sweet tooth.

Some notable figures who stood out in various areas were born in Resende. Such as Edgar Cardoso – Engineer, Gonçalo Pires Bandeira – Squire and Knight or Manuel Borges Carneiro – Magistrate, Jurisconsult and Politician.

In the municipality, and because it is so close to the river, the Nautical Club of Caldas de Aregos promotes water sports – mainly canoeing, rowing and sailing. It is also possible to practice Jetski and Motonautics. A boat called “Barca d’ Aregos”, also carries out trips on the river for those who appreciate the breathtaking landscapes that the Douro and Man have shaped over time.

To visit:

• Church of São Martinho de Mouros
• Monastery of Santa Maria de Cárquere
• Castle of São Martinho de Mouros
• Megalithic Set of Felgueiras
• Megalithic Enclosure of São Cristóvão
• Dolmen of São Cristóvão
• Castro da Mogueira (fortress)
• Anthropomorphic Graves
• Caldas de Aregos
• Mount of São Cristóvão
• Casa da Soenga
• Lagariça Tower
• Porto de Rei
• Caldas de Aregos hot springs

Festivities and Pilgrimages:

• Cherry Festival, the weekend after the 4th Sunday in May
• São Salvador Festivities, on the 6th August
• Labareda Festivities, the week before 29 September