Paredes de Coura: Travel and tourism

Essentially rural, the county of Paredes de Coura lies at the heart of the Higher Minho region, characterized by its green sceneries, picturesque villages and steep hills.

The seat of the county, Paredes de Coura, is a small and pleasant town with houses clinging to a slope which descends to the beautiful valley of the river Coura.

Although with no great monuments, it has a beautiful 17th-century pillory and the Baroque church of the Holy Spirit, rebuilt in the 18th century and exhibiting fine gilded woodwork and valuable images.

The lack of monumental wealth is largely compensated by a number of interesting archaeological sites, such as those around the village of Rubiães (dolmens and Roman milestones).

At Padornelo, it is worth visiting the church of Ecce-Homo (1776).

Fine examples of rural architecture (windmills, stone granaries, threshing-floors) may still be seen at the parishes of Porreiras and Insalde, among others.

In spite of the county's bucolic beauty, the name of Paredes de Coura would be little known in other parts of Portugal if it wasn't for the big open-air rock festival which is held every summer and attracts thousands of visitors to the tranquil town, changing its rural atmosphere for a few days.

As for the regional food, Paredes de Coura boasts of the abundant and succulent gastronomy typical of lush Minho, with specialities such as roast kid and sucking-pig, leg of wild boar, bolinhos de bacalhau (little salt-cod cakes), caldo verde (perhaps Portugal's best-known soup, made with thinly sliced cabbage), lamprey and salmon.