The beautiful Douro river

The driving force of this region lies in the waters of the river Douro, which bathe the region, carrying, on each margin, millennial charms. A river of history, of travel, that marks its people with the same intensity with which it molds the hills and valleys durienses.

In Spanish lands, in the province of Soria, the Duero river is born, between the mountains of the Mountain range of Urbión. After the border becomes the Douro, receiving the waters of the river Águeda and his twin brother, the Côa. Along its 850 kilometers of extension it includes other rivers like Tua, Sabor, Pinhão and Távora.

Before flowing into the salty Atlantic Ocean, between Vila Nova de Gaia and Porto, the Douro river passes through the cities of Miranda do Douro, Vila Nova de Foz Côa and Peso da Régua. In "Invicta" their eyes turn to the sky, as they contemplate the seven bridges that connect the two banks. Already in the waters of the interior, now he is dazzled by the terraces that surround him, now he observes the treasures that his bed encloses.

Although at the beginning of its course the Douro is a wide and little flowing river, during most of its extension is marked by a sharp slope, tight corners and protruding rocks that make it a strong, sometimes violent river. However, this rebellion was tamed by the construction of several hydroelectric dams, which in addition to providing energy, have created reservoirs of calm waters, which encourage navigation.

The Douro waterway extends from the Crestuma-Lever Dam to the Pocinho Dam, for a total of 200 kilometers. These waters have been navigable since ancient times, being populated by rabel boats since the 13th century. With the internationalization of Port wine, the traffic of the river increased, since these boats transported wine, stored in kites, to Invicta. Nowadays, the rabelos are just one of the many tourist boats that sail through the waters of the Douro. The cruises sail for a greater distance, making the connection between the Port and the region of the Douro, being able to go beyond the Spanish border.

Flying over the Douro River are birds of prey that reign under a blue sky, gathering food in the sparkling waters of the Douro River. Not only do predators find sustenance in this hydrographic giant, since Man also uses it to fish for their meal and water their fields. Scale, eel, trout, perch, carp, barbel, mussel are some of the aquatic species found in the river.

All the fields are refreshed by the waters of the Douro, even those that are at high altitudes, because they do not escape to the fog, that results of the evaporation. The fertile soil and the mild climate create the ideal conditions for almost all types of crops, with viticulture being the privileged one. Port and table wines should not only taste the Man, but also the natural elements of the region, such as the river Douro.

Throughout the Douro river trajectory and in its watershed, regions classified as World Heritage are erected, such as the Historic Center of Porto, the Historic Center of Guimarães, the Alto Douro Vinhateiro and the Prehistoric Site of Cave Art Côa. The Douro is a river of history, of secrets, of riches and treasures, which belongs not only to its people, but also to the whole world, once civilizations and nomads have passed through it, having all been conquered by the beauty Of such modest river.