Melgaço

Located on the extreme north west of Portugal, in a region named Alto Minho, Melgaço is a lovely village, situated in a mountain range area, bathed by the river Minho, that early moulded the lifestyle of the local populations.

The human occupation of this region is very ancient, and throughout the municipality several megalithic monuments can be found, with the most significant one in Castro Laboreiro, where several testeminoies from ancient tribes from different periods were found.

Situated in the border with Spain, Melgaço was always an important strategic defensive point, stage of many battles and political conflicts throughout the centuries . The current locality was formed adjacent to the Castle, up in the hill.
Melgaço is situated in an extremely beautiful region, with profuse greenish vegetation, where one of the most sublime type of wine is produced: the Alvarinho green wine, in the beautiful area of the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
Several manor houses and small palaces enrich the village and its surroundings , among other monuments worth to be known, like the lovely Nossa Senhora da Orada and São Julião Chapels.

To better take advantage of the great natural resources of the village, in Melgaço are located a great Thermal centre, known as “Termas de Melgaço” or “Termas do Peso”, a Spa with many facilities and several therapeutically indications.

In the Melgaço’s surroundings is located the lovely Fiães Monastery and the Paderne Church, both built in Romanesque style, attesting the ancient history of the region.