The best known legend of this village, so the story goes, is the one that gave it its name. When King D. Afonso Henriques and his men passed through Britiande they saw walnuts on the ground. The king was in a hurry but the soldiers stared at them longingly. So he ordered them to Brite e Ande –“Britiande” - crack (the nuts) and walk.

Opposite Casa de Santo António de Britiande in Largo de S. Sebastião are the Pelourinho or pillory, and the Chapel of S. Sebastião. Immediately after it is the Igreja Matriz or parish church, richly decorated with a beautiful high altar, the side walls embellished with 18th century frescoes. Take a trip to see the chapels as well as the manor houses scattered throughout the parish, all dating from the 18th century: Casa dos Sá Pereira and Casa dos Teixeira Rebelo.

Lamego:
The Celts are credited with founding the historic city of Lamego, which is proud to have hosted the Cortes of 1143 that acknowledged D. Afonso Henriques as King of Portugal. We recommend a visit to the Torre de Menagem or donjon and the city walls (11th and 12th centuries) the Church of Almacave (11th and 12th centuries), the Cathedral (12th and 13th centuries), Balsemão Chapel (7th century) and the Museum of Art and Archaeology which has various paintings by Grão Vasco (16th century) Flemish tapestries and rare works of Portuguese silversmithing. The 686 steps to the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (18th and 20th century) are well worth the climb for the magnificent view and the luxuriant vegetation in the hilltop park.

Ferreirim:
The Franciscan convent of Santo António de Ferreirim (16th century) has a medieval military tower. The church still contains part of the retabular paintings by the so-called “Masters of Ferreirim” (Cristóvão de Figueiredo, Gregório Lopes and Garcia Mendes). 

Ucanha:
This wine-growing village bathed by the River Varosa has a unique tower (classified as a national monument) and the toll-gate bridge, both testifying to medieval seigniorial organization. Not to be missed is a visit to the famous Caves da Murganheira, producer of DOC wines and sparkling wines of the Távora-Varosa Demarcated Region. Here, the sparkling wines are laid down in caves dug into the blue granite, to a depth of 50mts. This is one of the six Douro Wine-Growing Villages, or “Aldeias Vinhateiras do Douro”.

Tarouca:
The Monastery of São João de Tarouca was founded in the early 12th century by the first king of Portugal for the Cistercian monks. It was the first monastery of the Cistercian Order in Portugal and is now a national monument. The Cistercian architecture is of the Bourgogne school. Inside, among many treasures you can see one of the best examples in the history of Portuguese painting, which is a depiction of St. Peter. Other items include paintings attributed to the school of Grão Vasco: The Adoration of the Magi, by Gaspar Vaz, the polyptich of the Glorification of the Virgin (16th century) and the Tomb of the Count of Barcelos.

Salzedas:
The Monastery of Santa Maria de Salzedas (Cistercian Order) was founded in the 12th century. Note the small wooden verandas in the houses surrounding the monastery. One of the six Douro Wine-Growing Villages - the “Aldeias Vinhateiras do Douro”.

Armamar:
The Parish church of S. Miguel is Romanesque and may even date from the 13th century. Do not miss a visit to the old bridge of Santo Adrião, the belvedere and the Chapel of S. Domingos in Fontelo, and the typical villages of S. Martinho das Chãs and S. Cosmado. In winter it is possible to see the Temilobos waterfall about 3 km from the town, a truly spectacular sight.

Feasts, markets and pilgrimages are a constant happening in the Douro. They are strongly linked to the cycle of farm crops and to the seasons of the year in which traditional celebrations combine religion with entertainment.

Note the following:

• Terça-feira de Carnaval: Carnaval de Lazarim (Lamego);
• February: Shrove Tuesday: Lanzarim Carnival, Lamego
• 3rd May: Feira de Santa Cruz in Lamego (a horse fair)
• Second week in May: Elderflower Feast in D’Alvares-Tarouca
• June Dog show in Lamego
• August: Second Sunday  - Feast of Britiande in honour of Santa Bárbara (6 days)
• 15 August: Pilgrimage Nossa Senhora do Socorro in Peso da Régua
• 26 August to 8 September: Feasts and Pilgrimages of Nossa Senhora dos Remédios (one of the largest in Portugal) Lamego
• September and October: The vintage