Saturday, 7 November 2020

PAREDES DE COURA (PORTUGAL)

 

PAREDES DE COURA

N 41º 54' 45''; W 8º 33' 44''

Paredes de Coura is a Portuguese village in the district of Viana do Castelo, in the North, and in the Alto Minho sub-region.
It is the seat of a municipality with 138.19 km² in area and 9 198 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into 16 parishes. The municipality is limited to the north by the municipalities of Valença and Monção, to the east by Arcos de Valdevez, to the south by Ponte de Lima, and to the west by Vila Nova de Cerveira.
The highest point in the municipality is located in Corno do Bico, with 883 meters of altitude, in the protected landscape area with the same name.
The place is particularly known for its annual rock music festival.
Dolmens and other finds attest to prehistoric settlement in the area, and there are also significant finds from Roman times, such as mansions along the Roman military road that passes here.
In addition to archaeological sites, a Roman bridge, various mansions, and churches from around the 13th and 16th centuries can be visited.
Several hiking trails criss-cross the forested and stream-crisscrossing areas in the district. Several gastronomic and sporting infrastructures have been created in places on the river beach of the Rio Coura.
Every summer (end of July / beginning of August) the internationally important music festival that bears the name of the place has been held here since 1993. Thousands then come to see bands of different styles of rock music etc. to attend. In 2011, for example, bands like Pulp, Mogwai, or… And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead were guests here.
Paredes de Coura is the seat of a district of the same name. The neighboring areas are (starting clockwise in the north): Valença, Monção, Arcos de Valdevez, Ponte de Lima, and Vila Nova de Cerveira.
The town can be reached via the A3 via exit no. 13 (Paredes de Coura), 11 km away. It has no connection to the country's rail network. On the occasion of the festival, various intercity bus connections will be offered across the country.
























































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