In Praise of Rural Portugal:
When I first discovered Portugal in the mid-1990ās, I was enchanted by this beautiful country situated on the Atlantic coast of the Iberian Peninsula. For a country roughly the size of Maine or Indiana, there was an incredible diversity of places to visit, from the history and vibrancy of the metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto, to the beauty of the Atlantic coast and the Algarve, to the rugged interior of the North with its castles and natural beauty.
Archeological Sites of Northern Portugal:
In my first blog post I tried to make a case for escaping the crowds and tourist traps of Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve, and embracing the beauty and history of rural Portugal, particularly the areas to the north and east. This area is resplendent with the beauty of the Serra da Estrela and the medieval history of the castles and historic towns located along the border regions with Spain. And letās not forget the mesmerizing beauty of the Douro River Valley.
And yet, scattered about the north of Portugal are a number of other gems ā prehistoric and historic sites that remain undiscovered and unrecognized by tourists. One of the greatest pleasures that Iāve experienced in the 30 years that I have been traveling to Northern Portugal has been the discovery and enjoyment of these hidden gems. These sites offer unique and thought-provoking insights into the history of the area.
Portugal's Unique Stone-Cut Graveyards
While many visitors to Portugal gravitate toward the lively cities of Lisbon and Porto or the sunny beaches of the Algarve, thereās a quieter, richer story waiting to be uncovered in the heart of the northern central countryside. From your base at Casa da Regadinha in Muxagata, youāre perfectly positioned to explore some of Portugalās most fascinating and overlooked historical treasures: the rock-cut cemeteries of SĆ£o Gens and Forcadas.
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