Viana do Castelo | Centro histórico 2 | Portugal

We continue to visit Viana do Castelo, now through streets with urban manor houses some 17th, others 18th century, and some ancient monasteries. The Viana of the 17th c. is related to the Brazilian sugar cycle that extends until 1660. Period of intense activity in the docks: establishment of foreign trade (families of Dutch, Flemish, French traders, are based in Viana). From the Brazilian ports (Rio de Janeiro, Ilhéus, Pernambuco, Olinda and Recife) there is an appreciable volume of Brazilian sugar production, increasing the movement with northern European ports (Rouen, Antwerp, Amsterdam, Hamburg, etc.). Between 1566-1660 about 25% of Brazilian production is transported by vessels from Viana. The Rua da Bandeira is one of the largest and oldest streets of Viana, would be the old entrance to the city for those coming by Ponte de Lima. This street has several important old houses and manor houses. Espergueira Mendes is another important street in the west, full of history, which leads us to the Church of the old monastery of S.Domingos. Here we can enjoy the excellent golden carving of two eras: Main altarpiece of the first cycle of the 18th century, with an unusual imagination, and the altarpiece of Our Lady of the Rosary, a famous example of the golden carving of the second half of the century. Bracarense School of André Soares ". The Barra Fort was an important defensive system for the control of the Lima bar, of privateers and enemies, we will observe its growth over the centuries. The Church of Nossa Senhora da Agonia is one of ex-Libris of the city as it joins a pilgrimage every year on August 20. And lastly we took a leap to North Beach, the Atlantic limit of Viana, its Fortim da Areosa and the start of the ecovia that takes us almost to Vila Praia de Âncora, 13km north.