The town of Sabrosa is the seat of a municipality in the district of Vila Real. It is located on the right bank of the Douro River and is part of the Unesco world heritage list – the Alto Douro Wine Region.

In the municipality, many were the people who stayed here and the vestiges they have left behind. From the Neolithic period, there are still dozens of tumulus scattered all over the place. From the Iron Age, some settlements remain, and in a more recent period, Lusitanian-Roman, there is a cemetery – destroyed a few years ago. Most of the parishes date back to the Middle Ages and some, like Provesende, even predate the foundation of Portugal (1143).

The illustrious Ferdinand Magellan, who made the first circumnavigation of the Earth, was born in the municipality – from one of the noble families. This nobility of the time can still be seen today, given the numerous emblazoned houses that proliferate in the municipality. But other notable personalities stood out in the municipality, such as the poet Miguel Torga, General Loureiro dos Santos, Major-General Jaime Neves or Dr Joaquim Pinheiro de Azevedo Leite Pereira, among others.

With the creation of the Douro Demarcated Region, Sabrosa prospered even more and viticulture is still the “engine” of development for the whole region.

In this same region there are still some established craftsmen working in the areas of lace, basketry, clog making, cooperage, cheese making and woodworking.

In terms of gastronomy, as in any other Transmontana locality, the highlights are roast kid with oven rice, cozido à portuguesa, bola de carne, sausages, pão-de-ló, cavacas and, of course, the genuine Douro and Port wines.

To visit:

• Miguel Torga Space – in São Martinho de Anta
• Castro de Sabrosa (fortress)
• Mother Church of Sabrosa
• Mamoa de Madorras (tumulus)
• Open graves in the rock
• Solares – Coat of arms houses (several around the council)
• Provesende (Wine Villages)
• Church of Gouvães do Douro
• Church of Gouvinhas
• Church of Provesende
• Church of Vilarinho de São Romão
• Delegada Chapel
• Fonte Chapel
• Senhora da Azinheira Chapel
• São Bento Chapel
• Senhor Jesus de Santa Marinha Chapel
• Municipal Library

Activities:

• Municipal Swimming Pools

Festivities and pilgrimages:

• Festivities in honour of Nossa Senhora do Rosário and Santa Bárbara, from 5 to 9 September