Vila Nova de Foz Côa
Vila Nova de Foz Coa
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This quiet small town has became famous with the discovery and classification as World Heritage by UNESCO of its prehistoric art in the River Coa Valley, one of the biggest archaeological centre of this type of ancient art in Europe.
Region mainly agricultural, Vila Nova de Foz Coa is also known as the “Almond Tree Capital”, due to the large density of these trees in the region, owed in part to the special Mediterranean climate that here exists. The lanscape once the trees bloom (usually around february and march) is absolutely breathtaking.
This agricultural feature dominates the landscape with vineyards, olive and almond trees, in between mountains and valleys, where several water courses run through.
All over the Vila Nova de Foz Côa municipality there are small villages built in schist, where tradition still rules the day-by-day life.
Nearby Vila Nova de Foz Côa is the Numão locality: an important defensive town during the roman occupation of the region, and where Ruins from a 10th century Castle can still be seen, as well as some interesting Jewish small houses.
The Heritage value of Vila Nova de Foz Côa municipality is huge, mainly in what concerns to archaeological vestiges, with about 195 discovered and classified places.
In Vila Nova de Foz Côa town there are several interesting monuments, such as the Matriz Church and a large number of Chapels: Santa Quitéria (probably built over an ancient synagogue) São Pedro and Santa Bárbara or the baroque Santo António.
Some manor houses enrich the town, like the Andrades House. The Relógio Tower, located where once the Castle was, shows the military architecture of other times.
The Gastronomy is quite rich and with varied dishes, with fresh products from the fertile soils all around. Fresh vegetables and fruit, the renowned wine (Barca Velha is the most famous), the olive oil, the unforgettable Bread, the fresh river fish, and the cattle-based dishes, are some of the usual presences in the region’s cuisine.
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