Castro Laboreiro
Encyclopedia
Castro Laboreiro is a village in northern Portugal, one of the 18 parishes of the Melgaço munincipality, in the district of Viana do Castelo. It is in the mountain range of the Laboreiro. As of 2001 the area had 726 inhabitants. The name derives from Castro, a hill fort, and Lepporariu, "of hares", a Latin name from Roman times.
Cascata do Laboreiro, a waterfall on the Homem River, can be seen from the walls of the ruin of the Castle of Castro Laboreiro, situated above the town.
Roman and medieval bridges are found nearby over the various rivers, including the Laboreiro River, Mire River, and others.
For centuries, the domain passed back and forth between Christian and Muslim rulers. In 1141, D. Afonso Henriques (1112–1185) took control of the castle. In 1944, the castle was classified by the government as a National Monument.
The village also has a pre-Romanesque church, Santa Maria da Visitação, built in the 9th century. The Feast of Santa Maria da Visitação is held on July 6 each year.
Points of interest:
History and scenery
There are many archaeological sites in the area that show evidence of very early human occupation.Cascata do Laboreiro, a waterfall on the Homem River, can be seen from the walls of the ruin of the Castle of Castro Laboreiro, situated above the town.
Roman and medieval bridges are found nearby over the various rivers, including the Laboreiro River, Mire River, and others.
For centuries, the domain passed back and forth between Christian and Muslim rulers. In 1141, D. Afonso Henriques (1112–1185) took control of the castle. In 1944, the castle was classified by the government as a National Monument.
The village also has a pre-Romanesque church, Santa Maria da Visitação, built in the 9th century. The Feast of Santa Maria da Visitação is held on July 6 each year.
Points of interest:
- Castle of Castro Laboreiro
- Church of Santa Maria da Visitação
- Pelourinho de Castro Laboreiro
- Ponte de VarzielaPonte de VarzielaPonte de Varziela is a bridge in Portugal. It is located in Viana do Castelo District....
- Ponte das CaínheirasPonte das CaínheirasPonte das Caínheiras is a bridge in Portugal. It is located in Viana do Castelo District....
- Ponte de AssureiraPonte de AssureiraPonte de Assureira is a bridge in Portugal. It is located in Viana do Castelo District....
, Capela de S. Brás e Moinho de Água - Ponte de Dorna
- Ponte Nova da Cava da VelhaPonte Nova da Cava da VelhaPonte Nova da Cava da Velha is an old Roman bridge in Portugal. It is located in Viana do Castelo District, over the Castro Laboreiro River, on the perimeter of the Peneda-Park, 3 km south of Castro Laboreiro. The structure does not appear in the two most comprehensive lists of Roman bridges.-...
See also
- Architecture of PortugalArchitecture of PortugalArchitecture of Portugal refers to the architecture practised in the territory of present-day Portugal since before the foundation of the country in the 12th century...
- Peneda-Gerês National ParkPeneda-Gerês National ParkThe Peneda-Gerês National Park , also known simply as Gerês, is the only national park in Portugal...
- List of bridges in Portugal
- MegalithMegalithA megalith is a large stone that has been used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or together with other stones. Megalithic describes structures made of such large stones, utilizing an interlocking system without the use of mortar or cement.The word 'megalith' comes from the Ancient...
- Cão de Castro LaboreiroCão de Castro LaboreiroThe Cão de Castro Laboreiro, or Dog from Castro Laboreiro, or Portuguese Cattle Dog or Portuguese Watch Dog, is a dog breed of the livestock guardian dog type, originating from Castro Laboreiro in the northern mountains of Portugal....
(Dog of Castro Laboreiro)