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Penafiel (Entre-os-Rios)
Portugal
he municipality of Penafiel extends within
an area of 212.2 square kilometers of
mountains, valleys and rivers, which can be
brought to fruition from various spots and
places like the beautiful water plains arising
from the Tâmega reservoir or the steep
slopes of the Douro River.
Penafiel is the centre for therapeutic
treatments and spas, highlighted by the Inatel of Entre-os-Rios and the
Termas de São Vicente, one Roman Spa dated 315 AD. Both spas are
famous for the hyper-mineralized waters, that include concentrated
sulphurous and carbonaceous alkaline silicates and fluoridated water,
considered the most alkaline among the sulphurous waters of Portugal
and Europe, with temperatures about 18.5 °C (65.3 °F), advocated for the
treatment of respiratory diseases and musculoskeletal system ailments.
In the land of Sousa’s valley, Tâmega and Douro, in the heart of the North
of Portugal, stands an important architectural heritage of Romanesque
origin, common traits that carry legends and stories born with the
foundation of the Nationality which witness the significant role that this
territory formerly played in the history of nobility and religious orders in
Portugal.
Tourism is influenced by the staggering of religious and secular activities,
but marked by special events throughout the year, particularly around the
religious celebrations of Endoenças, at Entre-os-Rios, and São Martinho,
at the city centre. This includes the literary festival Escritaria and the
agricultural fair Agrival, which had its basis in the traditional medieval fairs.
In 2016, Penafiel was awarded with the Best Municipal Cultural Program
of Portugal prize by the Portuguese Society of Authors (SPA) and was
elected, among the region of Tâmega and Sousa, the best place to live
and visit, according to a study by the international consultancy Bloom
Consulting.
This inter-fluvial region has granite soils and is rich in water resources,
allowing intensive agriculture and extractive industries.
The southwest extension of the municipality includes a complex of schist
and Greywacke geology, resulting of mountainous, uncultivated and
largely forestry lands.
Penafiel is around 30 kilometers fromOporto city and 40 kilometers from
Oporto airport.
AQUABIKE
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For the final round of the UIM-ABP Aquabike European Continental Championship the tour heads to the spectacular Douro Valley in
northern Portugal and to the picturesque town of Penafiel on 23-25 June.
In addition to the multiple senior categories, the Ski Juniors will get there opportunity to take centre stage and bid for world titles.
Last year’s Ski Junior category was dominated by Estonian duo, Mattias Reinaas and Marten Manni, each taking maximum points in
their respective classes, Ski GP3.2 and GP3.3 to clinch the titles.
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