Come and spend a few days at Pousada de São Teotónio in
Valença do Minho, one of the most beautiful, well-preserved towns on the border between Portugal and Spain. Bordered by the river Lima, this Pousada is
located within the fort of Valença, alongside the town´s northern walls. With its unpretentious, comfortable and charming style and access to one of the Santiago pilgrimage routes, Pousada de Valença guarantees you a memorable stay.
With its typical tiled floor and a huge granite fireplace at the entrance, the ancient wood and Viana earthenware not only welcome you, but also set the tone for a pleasant, welcoming and extremely comfortable stay.
DESTINATION
If you´re planning to get to know the
Minho and Galicia region, the most interesting starting point lies:inside the fortress, down old cobbled streets, where you will discover a
picturesque, beautifully kept village with alleys, shops and nooks and crannies ideal for exploring on foot. At the end of the village, alongside the river Lima, you will find the low houses of the pousada, with direct access to the walls and a stunning view.
After all, come rain or shine, the landscape
in Valença is always fantastic and awe-inspiring. When the sun is out, you can appreciate the greenness of Minho in all its glory and the mist hanging over the riverbanks, shrouding the surrounding area in a mysterious, romantic veil.
When the only thing you can make out are the walls of the Cathedral of Tui among the low clouds, you know you are looking at one of the most emblematic landscapes in Minho.
LOCATION
Minho lies
a stone´s throw away from Melgaço and Monção, a winemaking region famous for its green wines and the predominance of Alvarinho. The houses in Valença are typically white, with dark granite stonework, thereby giving the entire village a sober, well-kept appearance. The ground is equally dark and the walls can be walked on in complete safety, so it's really worth your while wandering around on foot and getting into the rhythm of the local lifestyle. You will find countless shops here
, in addition to the magnificent São Teotónio Church in the square opposite the cannon, which is well worth a visit. As it happens, just about everywhere is worth a visit: Tui, on the other side of the bridge, is Valença´s twin-sister town and is probably the Spanish town that speaks the best Portuguese.
SERVICES
The
living room is spacious and boasts a striking view of the wall, the river and the bridges leading to Tui in Spain. Everything you can see on the other side of the river is part of the magnificent region of Galicia. You might well meet some of the pilgrims that travel more than 800 km on foot, in an impressive display of faith. They often come to the Pousada to rest or just to have a refreshing drink before continuing on their way.
Indeed, the sofas in these rooms and in the incredible
esplanade area are extremely conducive to comfort and rest. The decor is an interesting mix of styles and eras. The impressive Beiriz tapestry on the right, the work of Amândio Silva, is from 1968 and is almost metaphysical in its illustration of the nature of nature. You can merely gaze at this work of art or use the pousada´s
wi-fi to access an immediate explanation on the subject.
However, if you think that a weekend or a few days of rest should be spent more actively and, ideally, in excellent company, head to the
bar on the corner - which forms a wooden nook - where you can begin your own private experience with the region´s wines. In the winter,
the restaurant´s open fire will welcome you and ensure that your wine and culinary adventures will taste even better.
This pousada is small and family-run and you are likely to get to know other guests in no time at all. However, if you´re looking for absolute peace and quiet, you can be sure that nobody will disturb you. The benevolent, placid nature of the people of the North is in stark contrast with the anonymous life of the country´s cities. The town is even quieter during the week and you can spend hours watching the water flow by in complete peace. Regardless of whether you are visiting Pousada de Valença for the town´s history or you are here in search of
rest and the regional cuisine, you will be going home with some stories to tell.
Pestana Tip: Parking and visiting the fort on market days and at weekends can be complicated – call the pousada reception before you arrive for information on the best way to do it.
