The North of Portugal has a great heritage to discover. The region has been inhabited since prehistoric times and is a key area for the understanding of both Atlantic European Megalithic and Castrocultures. Historically, Northern Portugal was the southern realm of Galicia (see Gallaecia), which up to the 12th century was part of the combined Kingdom of Galicia and León, being known as the County of Portugal. It was in the County of Portugal where Portugal’s first king, Dom Afonso Henriques, was born in the beginning of the 12th century.
The Kingdom of Galicia, at the time of the Swabian Dynasty (5th-6th C AD), had its capital in Braga. The original Galician-Portuguese language was developed in the Galician/Northern Portuguese area, taken further down south as the Portuguese Kingdom expanded, namely after the Afonso Henriques era (First king of Portugal).
The region has numerous manor houses and castles featuring coats of arms as an indication of a very intense medieval period.
Regional cuisine is renowned and varied offering products such as young wines (“vinhos verdes”) and mature wines, and a variety of handicrafts mingling the shine of filigree with the color of local embroideries. Northern Portugal is also very rich in folklore and traditions, dating back to antiquity.
Our company has a lot of interesting Cultural Visits at your disposal with a guide available for groups in all Portugal and Spain.
