Viseu

Viseu is one of the main cities in the Center of Portugal region, with approximately 60,000 inhabitants, is classified as one of the European cities with the best quality of life, designated as Gastronomy Destination, distinguished for having the cleaner sidewalks, better bike paths, better road system, better served by green spaces, better and more diverse offer of restaurants, supermarkets and shopping centers. It is the largest urban center in Portugal off the coast, with constant growth. Viseu is a capital city of a district divided between the center and the north of Portugal, it borders on the north with the district of Porto, the district of Vila Real and the district of Bragança, on the east with the district of Guarda, on the south with the district of Coimbra and to the west with the district of Aveiro. It is 299 km from Lisbon and 128 km from Porto by motorway. It has an agricultural economy of wine (Dão wine) and potato cultivation, textile industry, electronics industry, ceramics industry and building materials industry.

Viseu Fast Facts

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• Population of the region: approximately 400 thousand inhabitants
• Population of the city of Viseu: approximately 60 thousand inhabitants
• Area of the region: 507.10 km
• Foundation: 1123
• Region: Center
• Sub-Region: Dão-Lafões
• District: Viseu
• Former province: Beira Alta
• Municipal Holiday: September 21st

Attractions to visit in Viseu (Top 11)

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Historic center of Viseu

The Historic Center of Viseu is the most important area of the city, with about 25.4 hectares in size and 658 buildings, most of which predates the year 1950. This area of the city of Viseu has been the object of profound requalification works: rehabilitation of all buildings, creation of car parks for private cars and tour buses, improvement of the public transport network, donation of incentives to residents of the historic center to transform the balconies of their houses into “hanging gardens” and the establishment of services that streamline this place as the business incubator or the Regional Music Conservatory.

Known as the "garden city of Portugal", Viseu has an urban center organized around squares and gardens, which allows for a unique quality of life in Portugal, and with excellent conditions for the population to live together. The highlights of the urban area of Viseu are:

• Praça D Duarte: it is one of the oldest squares in the city, with eight entrances to eight streets. Here there are buildings of medieval origin and shops installed on the ground floor, an old tradition in Portugal;
• Rossio Square (Praça da República): it is the heart of the city, where we find the Casa Almeida Almeida Museum, the Paços do Concelho building, the Church of Terceiros de São Francisco, the Jardim das Mães, the Jardim Tomás Ribeiro and Parque Aquilino Ribeiro.
• Largo da Sé: it is the public place of excellence in Viseu, with access to practically the entire city. Here are buildings of the greatest historical importance, such as the Sé Catedral de Viseu, the Museu Grão Vasco or the Igreja da Misericórdia. Largo da Sé is the highest point in the historic center of Viseu;
• Rua Direita: is one of the founding streets of the city of Viseu. Direita Street is the main commercial street in the city, an authentic open-air shopping center, with typical shops installed in 16th century houses;
• Rua Formosa: built in the 19th century with the aim of creating a new centrality and a new shopping area in Viseu. It is here that we find the building of the Paços do Concelho, where the Town Hall works;
• Rua do Hilário: old place where the Jewish quarter existed, the judiaria de Viseu. Rua do Hilário was thus designated as a way to honor Augusto Hilário, the founder of Coimbra fado born in this place.

Cathedral of Viseu

Sé Catedral de Viseu: is a National Monument cathedral, of Gothic, Manueline, and Baroque style visible in the works of carving, tile and painting, inaugurated in the 13th century and almost totally destroyed in a storm that occurred in the 17th century. The clock tower was saved from this storm, and the façade and chancel were restored. The cloister of the Cathedral is one of the main references of the Portuguese Renaissance. Here we can visit the Museu de Arte Sacra da Catedral de Viseu / Tesouro da Sé, a museum with collections of religious objects and images of altarpieces from the memories of bishops.

Parque do Fontelo

Parque do Fontelo: it is a park known for its forest and for the great amount of equipment for the practice of outdoor sports activities: soccer fields, tennis courts, swimming pools and a maintenance circuit.

Aquilino Ribeiro Park

Parque Aquilino Ribeiro: it is the city park with a dense and varied flora in the center of Viseu.

Cava do Viriato

Cava de Viriato: it is a national monument since 1910, composed of a fortification of Roman origin located off the site where the São Mateus fair is held, north of the city of Viseu. "Cava" was a traditional camp from Roman times
Although the name includes the name Viriato, Cava has no relationship with the Portuguese warrior Viriato. Only in the 16th century was the name Viriato related to the Cava.

Viriato Theater

Teatro Viriato: it is a theater recognized as a Public Utility Institution. It has a very elegant and detailed architecture and decoration located in Largo Mouzinho de Albuquerque. It was opened in 1883 under the name Teatro da Boa União, however in 1898 it adopted the current name in honor of the Portuguese hero Viriato. In this theater we can watch regular cultural shows, with management and programming from the Center for the Performing Arts of Viseu, Cultural and Pedagogical Association.

Grão Vasco Museum

Museu Grão Vasco: it is the most important museum in the city of Viseu, with pieces classified as "National Treasures", namely the Old altarpiece of the main chapel of the Cathedral of Viseu composed of fourteen paintings with scenes from the birth and death of Jesus Christ, a collection of approximately 1300 documents, 17 manuscript books and 4 stamps, pieces dating from the 13th to the 20th centuries, collection of works by the painter Vasco Fernandes (the Grão Vasco) that were in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Viseu , ceramic pieces from Portuguese collecting from the end of the 19th century and the first decades of the 20th century composed of oriental porcelain, Portuguese faience and European ceramics, sculptures from the 13th, 16th and 15th centuries, a collection of furniture dating from the 17th century to the second half of 20th century, textile pieces made up of carpets, religious clothing, liturgical implements, bedspreads, fragments of fabrics, and a drapery cloth embroidered with silk from 17th century China, jewelery from the Visco legacies nde da Trindade, Colonel Joaquim Cabral Cavaleiro and D. Maria Fernanda de Vasconcelos Lucena e Vale, from the 17th to the 20th century. The Grão Vasco Museum is located in the former Episcopal Palace.

Jardim das Mães

Jardim das Mães: it is a small and peaceful garden located in the historic center of the city, full of colorful flowers, with decorated spaces and arranged with garden benches

Quartz Museum

Quartz Museum: it is a museum created in a crater originated by the extraction of quartz stone, creating a window into the interior of the earth. The Quartz Museum has a strong pedagogical aspect, with visits adapted to various age groups, with a permanent exhibition and temporary exhibitions on themes of mineralogy.

Ecopista Do Dão

Ecopista Do Dão: it is a classified bike path with an excellence award and a Bicycle Mobility award. It has a length of 49.2 km covering the municipalities of Viseu, Tondela and Santa Comba Dão. The Ecopista was created on the old railroad, inaugurated in 1890 and completely closed in 1988. At Ecopista do Dão we can participate in tours from various points of departure and arrival, namely from: Tonda, Tondela, Tondelinha, Viseu, Aguiar da Beira, Caramulo, Carregal do Sal, Castro Daire, Farminhão, Mangualde, Oliveira de Frades, Penalva do Castelo, Santa Comba Dão, and Sernada do Vouga. There are 11 pre-designed tours by ecopistadodao.pt, which can be carried out in one day, or in several days, passing through points of interest of nature, cultural, spa, hotels, inns, rural tourism, and many others. Here we can go through the complete cycle path from any of the points, or take personalized tours suitable for anyone, and visit the various old stations along the route: Santa Comba Dão, Treixedo, Tonda, Tondela, Sabugosa, Parada de Gonta, Farminhão, Torredeita, Mosteirinho (apeadeiro), Figueiró, Travassós, Tondelinha, and Vildemoinhos (apeadeiro)

Rota do Dão

Rota do Dão: it is a circular route of 11.7 km, with an accumulated difference of 530 meters, starting at the School EB 2.3 D. Luís de Loureiro in Silgueiros, following through the village of Pindelo towards forest and vineyard cultivation area. On this route we will pass by the Dão River and the Quinta do Perdigão wine production farms, and Quinta de Santos Lima.

Other attractions to visit in Viseu

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Palácio do Gelo

Palácio do Gelo: is the largest shopping center in the district of Viseu, a shopping center opened in 1996 and renovated in 2008. Palácio do Gelo Shopping has six cinemas, the largest hypermarket in the region, a Bar do Gelo , fashion stores and a terrace with a view of the Estrela and Caramulo mountains.

Forum Viseu

Fórum Viseu: it is a shopping center composed of 4 floors, located in the city center of Viseu, 6 cinema rooms, dining space, international clothing stores, services and 800 parking spaces.

Porta dos Cavaleiros (Knights Gate)

Porta dos Cavaleiros: it is one of the old 7 access doors to the interior of the Roman walls that built the city of Viseu, one of the many icons of the city of Viseu, it is part of the old city wall, an arch that portrays well the medieval heritage of this District.

Porta do Soar

Porta do Soar: also known as Porta de São Francisco, it is one of the seven doors on the Walls of Viseu, a stretch of the old wall, a 15th century structure classified as a national monument. Porta do Soar was built from 1412 and only ended in the reign of Afonso V.

Palace of the Counts of Anadia

Palace of the Counts of Anadia: it is a splendid and well-preserved 18th century manor building, adapted for a museum where we find the history of a family that is easily confused with the history of Portugal, rich in details, passing through the various eras of the history of Portugal. In the farm there are gardens and stables, and a local activity of homemade production of olive oil, wine, vinegar and honey. Inside the palace we highlight the staircases and a hall completely decorated with tile panels, a sacristy, the costumes of the time.

Carmo 81

Carmo 81: considered one of the best places for nightlife, cultural entertainment, with regular concerts in the city of Viseu. Carmo 81 is known for its wall decorated with a three-dimensional piece of art with the representation of a cat.

Former Church of Terceiros de São Francisco

Former Church of Terceiros de São Francisco: it is an 18th century church with an interior decorated in gilt and a frieze of tiles with the life of San Francisco. The church is situated on a high point with access by a long staircase, which allows us to enjoy a view of the garden and the fountain.

Terra de Besteiros Museum and Tourism Office

Terra de Besteiros Museum and Tourism Office: it is a museum in the solar de Santa Ana, with an exhibition that portrays the history of the region, from prehistory to the present day, and covering aspects of social life. It is also the location of the Tondela tourist office

House of Lavoura and Oficina do Linho – Ethnographic Museum

Casa da Lavoura and Oficina do linho – Ethnographic Museum: it is a museum with collections related to the heritage related to the traditional culture of linen.

Mangualde artificial beach

The artificial beach of Mangualde: is a sandy beach created in 2011 in Mangualde, in a sandy area with a bathing area, also the stage for concerts and sporting events. Admission is paid, with free access for children up to 5 years old.

Misericórdia Church

Igreja da Misericórdia: it is a church with a rococo façade, from the second half of the 18th century, classified as a national monument, located in front of the Cathedral of Viseu.

Casa da Ribeira

Casa da Ribeira: is a space dedicated to the regional handicrafts of Viseu, with exhibitions of various crafts related to ancestral “industries”, showing the region's lifestyle and culture.

Tapir da Cunha Baixa

Anta da Cunha Baixa: it is a megalithic monument with a chamber and corridor dated between 3000 and 2500 B.C. dating back to the period of Campaniform culture, classified as a National Monument. The Tapir is located in an open valley area near the Castelo River. The collection taken from Anta de Cunha Baixa is on display at the National Museum of Archeology in Lisbon.

Citânia Da Raposeira

The Citânia da Raposeira: it is a simple place in the middle of nature count the Roman ruins of an inn with several outbuildings near the mount of Srª do Castelo, and proves the existence of the important road axis in the connection of Lusitânia (Portugal ) to the capital of the Empire (Rome).

Vouzela Railway Bridge

The Vouzela Railway Bridge: it is an old bridge of great architectural beauty, which creates a unique landscape together with the surroundings of the River Zela and the village of Vouzela. Next to the bridge there is a children's playground.

City History Museum

Museum of History of the City is a small museum space, with the aim of enhancing the history, heritage and people of Viseu. Here we can get to know a lot of information about the city of Viseu, from the stone age to the present day. It is a well-maintained museum, with very interesting information about the Viseu region.

Almeida Moreira House-Museum

Almeida Moreira House-Museum: it is a museum installed in the house that was the residence of Captain Francisco António de Almeida Moreira, consisting of a library, works of art, paintings, antique furniture, porcelain and sculptures.

Convent of São Francisco

Convento de São Francisco: this is where we find the Igreja de São Francisco do Monte, since the old monastery of medieval construction no longer exists.

Arbutus do Demo Botanical Park

Arbutus do Demo Botanical Park: it is a forest park with a path through nature, however it is sometimes closed!

Casa do Miradouro – José Coelho Archaeological Collection

Casa do Miradouro – Archaeological Collection of José Coelho: it is a historic house inaugurated in the 16th century, with emphasis on its portal and germinated windows.

Tile Panel

Azulejos Panel: it is an imposing Azulejos panel, located in Rossio, the historic center of the city, classified as a Monument of Municipal Interest. The tiles are designed by the modernist artist Joaquim Lopes, born in Porto.

Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo

Church of the Venerable Third Order of Nossa Senhora do Monte do Carmo: it is an 18th century church, classified as a National Monument.

Palace of the Marquis of Reriz

Palace of the Marquis of Reriz: it is a manor house located on Direita Street, built in the 18th century with an imposing facade, where we can see the family coat of arms.

Solar dos Condes de Prime

Solar dos Condes de Prime: it is a historic manor house with Baroque architecture inaugurated in the 18th century, where the Regional Conservatory of Music Dr José Azevedo Perdigão is installed **

Termas de Alcafache

Termas de Alcafache: they are the only thermal baths in the municipality of Viseu, located in the middle of nature in the Dão valley next to the river, approximately 8 km from the city. Considered one of the waters one of the richest and warmest in Portugal, the waters of these hot springs sprout at 50ºc, of sulfuric, bicarbonated and sodium and weakly mineralized composition, are indicated for therapeutic thermalism in diseases of the respiratory system and rheumatic and musculoskeletal problems.

Source of the Três Bicas (three spouts)

Fonte das Três Bicas: it is a monumental baroque fountain located in Largo da Sé next to the Igreja da Misericórdia.

Rua Direita de Viseu

Rua Direita: it is one of the oldest streets in Viseu, where we find some of the buildings mentioned in this article, and some traditional shops.

Church of São João Batista

Church of São João Batista: it is a 12th century church built in granite, formerly belonging to the patronage of the Malta Commendation.

Solar dos Peixotos

Solar dos Peixotos: it is an 18th century manor house exemplary of the stately architecture of the city of Viseu, with emphasis on the staircase and tiles that decorate its walls. It is the place where the Municipal Assembly of Viseu is installed.

Solar Visconde de Treixedo

Solar Visconde de Treixedo: it is an emblazoned baroque-style manor classified as a Property of Public Interest, built in the first half of the 18th century.

Campsite "Quinta Chave Grande"

Camping "Quinta Chave Grande": it is a quiet campsite for tents and caravans surrounded by nature consisting of lawn, trees, and pool area.

Príncipe Perfeito Sports Complex

Príncipe Perfeito Sports Complex: it is a water park equipped with an outdoor pool with slides, indoor pools and gyms.

Places and parishes to visit near Viseu

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Castro Daire

Castro Daire: it is a village located on Mount Castro Daire, highlighting the Capela das Carrancas, the Ermida do Paiva, Igreja Matriz and the Municipal Museum of Castro Daire.

Cinfães

Cinfães: is a Portuguese village with a history linked to the Knights Templar, where they had strongholds, namely the Torre da Chã, or the Torre dos Pintos. Cinfães is also related to the childhood story of El-Rei D. Afonso Henriques and his aunt Egas Moniz. In Cinfães we find an important built heritage, with emphasis on the church of São Cristóvão de Nogueira, the church of Senhora de Cales or Cádiz, the church of Tarouquela, the church of Scaling. Cinfães is the site of the archaeological site of Castro das Coroas, an old fortified settlement whose occupation can date back to the Bronze Age, and the Wall of Portas do Montemuro which consist of a stone wall with an occupation of approximately five hectares. among the mountain rocks, with several buildings scattered.

Carregal do Sal

Carregal do Sal: Portuguese village located in the Dão-Lafões sub-region known for its natural beauty, Dão wine and olive oil. The main attractions of this village are the Municipal Museum Soares de Albergaria, the Núcleo Museológico do Lagar de Varas de Parada.

Lamego

Lamego: is a city located in the district of Viseu, the second largest town in the region with approximately 13 thousand inhabitants. Lamego was the place where the first Portuguese courts were held during the reign of the first Portuguese king D Afonso Henriques. The city's heritage includes buildings such as: the Chapel of São Pedro de Balsemão; the Castelo de Lamego; the Convento de Ferreirim; the Church of Santa Maria de Almacave; the Lamego Museum; the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios; and the Sé Catedral de Lamego.

Moimenta da Beira

Moimenta da Beira: it is a Portuguese village, with 16 parishes: Alvite, Arcozelos, Baldos, Cabaços, Caria, Castelo, Leomil, Moimenta da Beira, Paradinha and Nagosa, Passô, Pera Velha, Nacomba village and Ariz, Peva and Segões, Rua, Sarzedo, Sever, and Vilar. Moimenta da Beira is famous for wine production, apple production, and for having been the municipality where Aquilino Ribeiro lived at various stages of his life.

Penedono

Penedono: town located on the geographical limits of the Portuguese region of Beira. Penedono is considered one of the most beautiful locations in Portugal. The main attractions of this village are: the Castle, the Penedono Interpretation Center, the Póvoa de Penela Olive Oil Mill, the prehistoric monuments and the Paços do Concelho;

Resende

Resende: located approximately one hour away from the city of Porto, Resende is the cherry capital of Portugal and the gateway to the demarcated area of the Douro. Resende's festivals and pilgrimages contribute significantly to the development of the economy. The most important festivals in Resende are: the Festa das Cavacas, which takes place annually in April and the Festival da Cereja which takes place annually in May. Several events related to water sports take place in Resende, namely: rowing – the Portuguese Rowing Cup takes place, jetski – the National Jetski Championship takes place, and motor boating – the National Championship of Motonáutica takes place. The municipality of Resende includes a vast historical heritage, namely the village of Granja de Ovadas, the village of Pachorra, the village of Panchorrinha and the Termas de Caldas de Aregos . The traditional gastronomy of Resende includes specialties such as smoked meats, roasted anho, bazulaque, Resende cavacas and Felgueiras toast;

Santa Comba Dão

Santa Comba Dão: is a Portuguese city where Ecopista do Dão passes, a 48 km bike path created on the old Dão line that runs from Viseu, Tondela and Vimieiro. In Santa Comba we can visit the Igreja Matriz de Santa Comba Dão from the 18th century, the Casa de Joaquim Alves Mateus from 1555, and the Casa dos Arcos where the municipal library works

São Pedro do Sul

São Pedro do Sul: is a Portuguese city located in the heart of the Lafões valley. This city is known for the thermal waters and for being the most flowery place in the Lafões valley. In the municipality of São Pedro do Sul we highlight the Thermal Center of São Pedro do Sul, the Aldeia de Covas do Monte, the Aldeia da Pena, the Aldeia do Fujaço, Bioparque, São Cristóvão de Lafões Monastery and Serra de São Macário;

Sernancelhe

Sernancelhe: it is a Portuguese historic village where we find the Parish Church of the parish of Sernancelhe dating from the 12th century, the former home of the international Catholic organization House of the Order of Malta, which works currently as a rural tourism establishment.

Mortágua

Mortágua: it is a Portuguese village and the seat of the municipality where we find archaeological remains dating from the Paleolithic period;

Penalva do Castelo

Penalva do Castelo: is a Portuguese village located in the sub-region Dão-Lafões. This town is known for its natural beauty, for the Dão de Penalva wine, for the Maçã Bravo de Esmolfe, and for the queijo da Serra. The main attractions are Casa da Ínsua, and Igreja Matriz.

Montebelo Golf Course

Montebelo Golf Course: located between the Estrela and Caramulo mountains, it includes a twenty-seven hole golf course.

Termas de Alcafache

Termas de Alcafache: they are located approximately 8 km from Viseu in the middle of nature in the Dão valley. The waters of these spas are referred to the treatment of health problems, namely with the respiratory tract, skin diseases, chronic rheumatisms, musculoskeletal diseases.

Termas Caldas de Felgueira

Termas Caldas de Felgueira: they are a spa located in the Alto Mondego valley integrated in a scenario of unique natural beauty. The waters of these spas have been used since the 19th century to cure various diseases.

Termas do Carvalhal

Termas do Carvalhal: located in the municipality of Castro Daire in the middle of the Montemuro and Arada mountains. The water has an average temperature of 42ºC. The water in these spas is advisable in the treatment of skin diseases, digestive diseases and respiratory diseases.

The gastronomy of Viseu

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Viseu gastronomy awakens unique and intense tastes. The cuisine of this region plays an important role in attracting tourists to the region. Viseu includes specialties such as:

• Soup from Beira
• Carqueja Rice
• Lamprey Rice
• Roast Kid
• Migas à lagareiro
• Sausages
• Ham
• Viseu-style ranch
• Lagareiro Roasted Octopus
• Paiva Trout
• Kisses
• Viseu Egg Chestnuts
• Cavacas
• Vouzela Pasties
• Apple from Beira Alta
• Bravo's Esmolfe Apple
• Serra da Estrela Cheese
• Lafões calf
• Dão Wine

Wines from Viseu

In the district of Viseu there are three main types of wines:

• Dão Wine: wine grown in the Dão wine region. This region has a dimension of about 376 thousand hectares in a mountainous area and with a rigorous climate. The Dão Demarcated Region covers the following + municipalities in the district of Viseu: Aguiar da Beira, Mangualde, Nelas, Penalva do Castelo, Tondela and Viseu.
• Lafões Wine: this wine is grown along the Vouga River and includes the municipalities of Oliveira de Frades, São Pedro do Sul and Vouzela.
• “Beiras” Regional Wine: wine grown in the municipalities of Aguiar da Beira, Mangualde, Nelas, Penalva do Castelo, Sátão, Tondela, Oliveira de Frades, Viseu and Vouzela

District of Viseu

The district of Viseu has high thermal amplitudes, with a Mediterranean climate of continental and maritime influence with rigorous and humid winters, and hot and dry summers. The district of Viseu is subdivided into 24 municipalities: Armamar, Carregal do Sal, Castro Daire, Cinfães, Lamego, Mangualde, Moimenta da Beira, Mortágua, Nelas, Oliveira de Frades, Penalva do Castelo, Penedono, Resende, Santa Comba Dão , São João da Pesqueira, São Pedro do Sul, Sátão, Sernancelhe, Tabuaço, Tarouca, Tondela, Vila Nova de Paiva, Viseu, and Vouzela.

The municipality of Viseu

In the municipality of Viseu there are 25 parishes: Abraveses, Barreiros and Cepões, Boa Aldeia, Farminhão and Torredeita, Bodiosa, Calde, Campo, Cavernães, Cota, Coutos de Viseu, Fail and Vila Chã de Sá, Fragosela, Lordosa, Mundão, Orgens, Povolide, Ranhados, Repeses and São Salvador, Ribafeita, Rio de Loba, Santos Evos, São Cipriano and Vil de Souto, São João de Lourosa, São Pedro de France, Silgueiros and the city of Viseu.

Geography of Viseu

Viseu is located in the Plateau of Viseu, surrounded by large areas of vegetation of pine, chestnut and oak, surrounded by a mountainous system consisting of the mountains of Leomil, Montemuro and Lapa, the Serra do Arado, the Serra da Estrela and Lousã, and the Serra do Caramulo. Here we find the Vouga River, Dão River, Paiva River, Douro River, and the Mondego River.

History of Viseu

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Viseu was founded during the period of Roman occupation, with two main areas: the hill of the Cathedral and the downtown of Regueira. The area of Regueira was endowed with a large number of Roman roads, which allowed the appearance of Cava do Viriato, a settlement that would give rise to the current city of Viseu, where Viriato, hunter, pastor and warrior who fought against the Roman occupation in the 2nd century. Viriato is the most important mythological figure in the history of Portugal, the Lusitanian hero of the Viseu region who resisted the Roman invader in the 2nd century.
In 572, during the Visigoth occupation, the village of Viseu already had a bishop. In the 8th century, Viseu was occupied by Muslims, being regained by Fernando Magno, king of Leão and Castile in 1035. Viseu was the residence of Count D. Henrique and D. Teresa, who assigned a charter in 1123. This locality began to grow in the 14th century, having been donated in 1416 to Infante D Henrique during the 15th century. King D Manuel I assigned a new charter to Viseu in 1513. Viseu gained cultural relevance, namely in painting during the 16th century with the painter Vasco Fernandes, from whom we can relive his works at the Museu Grão-Vasco.
Viseu saw this growth interrupted by a thunderstorm in the 17th century that destroyed most of the city, which in the meantime recovered in the 19th century with the reconstruction of the city, highlighting the building where we found the City Hall of Viseu and Rua Formosa with main access to the historic center.

Economy of Viseu and innovative projects

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Viseu produces wheat, corn, rye, potatoes, vegetables and fruits. The most important culture in the district is the vineyard. The most important industries in the Viseu region are: wood, ceramics, metalworking and food products. Viseu has promoted its economy through the adoption of innovative projects, namely:

• “2017: the official year to visit Viseu”: marketing campaign carried out with the objective of promoting the city in the Iberian Peninsula
• Centro Highway: intends the connection between Coimbra and Viseu
• Ecopista do Dão: this project aims to implement cycle paths for a total of about 50 km
• Business Incubator in the Historic Center of Viseu: project carried out to energize the historic center and create jobs in the areas of heritage, culture and technology
• Viseuinveste: is a project that aims to attract investment to companies in the region
  MUV / Urban Mobility: this project aims to build an urban network of cycle paths by 2018

In the district of Viseu there are five industrial clusters:

• Automobile Cluster: located in Mangualde, Tondela, Nelas and Vouzela. It includes companies such as Citroen, Bomoro Portuguesa, the Bosch group, Sasal – Car Seats, EDA and Faurecia
• Cluster Cerâmica: located in Santa Comba Dão, with the presence of companies such as Aquatis, Cerutil and Visabeira
• Cluster Madeira: located in Nelas and Santa Comba Dão includes companies such as Sonae, Lusofinsa, Madiberia and Dierre Portugal
• Metalomechanical Cluster: located in Viseu integrates companies such as Martifer or Gruvis
• Textile Cluster: located in Nelas and Vouzela encompasses companies such as Borgstena Textile Portugal and Britons Portugal

The Fairs of Viseu

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The Viseu fairs are tourist attractions of great importance for the region, namely:

• Feira de São Mateus: is the most important fair in Viseu, a historic fair created by King D. João I on January 10, 1392, following the free fair of the one created in the 12th century by D. Sancho I Feira de São Mateus is a fair organized by the municipality of Viseu visited by people from all over the world, in a place that brings together great Portuguese and international artists, with dozens of musical concerts, an amusement park with 9000m2 complete with entertainment for all ages, dozens of restaurants with typical cuisine from the region, commercial events and exhibitions, and the presence of the Dão wine region and the exhibition of the wines produced. The fair is sought after by the biggest Portuguese brands that seek to sponsor the events of great notoriety. The São Mateus fair annually brings together more than 1000 workers for its completion, generating hundreds of jobs. The São Mateus Fair is held annually during the first half of August
• Holy Week: held annually between 9 and 16 April
• Spring Music Festival: held annually between 10 and 30 April
• May 2 Party: held annually on May 2
• Popular Festivals, Marches and Cavalhadas: held annually between 1 and 30 June

Crafts from Viseu

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Viseu handicrafts include products from the most varied activities, namely carpentry, basketry, paper flowers, wrought iron, pottery, furniture and weaving.
The Casa da Ribeira Foundation plays an important role in the preservation and promotion of these ancestral arts, where we can visit and assist artisans at work.

Viseu Aerodrome

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Aeródromo de Viseu (Aeródromo Gonçalves Lobato) has regular flights to and from Bragança, Vila Real, Cascais near Lisbon, and to Portimão in southern Portugal. It is located 7 km from the city center of Viseu, has a paved runway 1200 meters long and 30 meters wide, with certification from the National Civil Aviation Institute (INAC) that allows it to receive commercial flights and aeronautical operations. At this Aerodrome there is a pilot training school (Aero Clube de Viseu)

Viseu proverb

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“Those who never visit Viseu, don't know what they lost!”. This popular proverb was born in the city of Viseu and defines the passion that the inhabitants feel for this Portuguese town. The City of Gardens or City Museum excels in the art of knowing how to receive and the gastronomy of intense flavors.