Sátão: Travel and tourism

The county of Satão is part of the Dão Lafões Tourism Region, characterized by pinewoods and verdant fields in contrast with granite and schist valleys and highlands crossed by rivers and streams, and also belongs to the Dão Wines Demarcated Region, with its extensive vineyards cultivated on a zone of plateaux.

The remote past of the region is confirmed by the presence of many dolmens and by the pre-historic graves found at Ourigos, and the county itself was founded in the 12th century.

Sátão's long history thus offers a rich architectural patrimony of ancient manor-houses and a large number of churches and chapels displaying rich gilded woodwork.

It is worth visiting the Romanesque Mother Church, with a beautiful sculpted portal, and the stone pillory of Ferreira das Aves, the former Town Hall and pillory of Rio de Moinhos and the church of the ancient Convent of Our Lady of Olive, at the seat of the county, with fine 17th-century woodwork and panels of tiles and a valuable tabernacle.

Adepts of fishing will find trout and barbell at the rivers Vouga, Coja and Paiva, whereas the rocky mountainous zones shelter game species such as wild boar, hare, rabbit and partridge.

The local gastronomy preserves rural flavours in typical dishes such as veal cooked in a clay casserole or red beans with cabbage and pork, but the county's speciality is a variety of excellent cured meats and sausages, besides the well-known Dão wines.

In terms of handicrafts, the village of Rio de Moinhos boasts of a remarkable tradition in hand-made linen articles.