Tarouca is a recent town, situated on the left bank of the Douro River, in the district of Viseu, about 13 km from the important city of Lamego and about 23 km from the no less important city of Peso da Régua.

This region would have been one of the first to be populated, in the territory where Portugal was to be founded. The peoples who lived in the West, towards the Pyrenees, such as the Lusitanians, were among its first occupants. For the fertile lands on the banks of the river Varosa and the picturesque fields they flanked, made them stay in large communities.

Some archaeological remains and the remains of settlements from various periods remained from these peoples, such as Castro de Mondim and Castro Rei, where traces of the Lusitanians were found, such as houses, millstones, ceramic objects, polished stone axes, among others. In the city of Lamego, the Romans established a solid domain and being so close to Tarouca and its lands so fertile, it was normal their appetite for this region, which can still be seen today in the existence of traces of Roman roads.

Tarouca is a land of flavours and traditions, with a varied gastronomy. The bazulaque is one of the typical dishes, mainly made on the occasion of the São Miguel Festivities – on September 29th.

As starters for a tasty meal, there is the “bola de vinha d´alhos”, smoked ham and goat’s cheese. For the main course, you can choose between roast kid with oven rice, trout from the Varosa river or “rojões de porco” (pork) with boiled potatoes. All this, of course, served with a good wine from the region.

Desserts include traditional sweets such as crème brûlée, honey or olive oil cakes, sponge cake, “falachas de castanha” (chestnut) and sweet corn cake. You can also finish off with a glass of the region’s famous sparkling wine, produced from the best grape varieties.

To visit:

• Church and Monastery of São João de Tarouca
• Church of São Pedro de Tarouca
• Ucanha
• Ucanha Bridge and Tower
• Salzedas
• Monastery of Santa Maria de Salzedas
• Paradela Arch
• Casa do Paço
• Chapel of Senhora das Necessidades
• Cristo-Rei
• Castro de Mondim
• Pillory of Mondim da Beira
• Pillory of Tarouca
• Pillory of Ucanha
• Pillory of Várzea da Serra
• Mondim da Beira Bridge
• S. João de Tarouca Bridge
• Vila Pouca de Salzedas Bridge
• Viewpoint of Padiola
• Viewpoint of Cristo-Rei
• Viewpoint of Santa Helena

Festivities and Pilgrimages:

• S. Pedro, 29 June
• Santa Helena, on the 2nd Sunday in July
• S. Miguel, 29 September (municipal holiday and annual fair)