S. João da Pesqueira

São João da Pesqueira is one of the biggest and best Port Wine producing regions.
Some manor houses, true palaces in the middle of the «Quintas» (Wine Estates), remind us the reception of the «Real Companhia do Douro» by the nobility. In the centre of the village, the Mercy Church, built in the 17th century, and located in front of a rural churchyard that has been restored, is an important attraction. Another reason is the beautiful Courthouse in Baroque style from the 18th century, designed by Nicolau Nasoni. Do not forget to admire the beautiful blue and white panels of tiles located at the main entrance of the City Hall, 18th century replicas that depict the winemaking steps and historic moment of the life of São João da Pesqueira.

In the 18th century the Marquis of Pombal studied Latin in the Monastery of São João da Pesqueira and in the same village he met a beautiful noble maid, with whom he fell in love and in honour of whom he had a palace built. However, his love and palace were rejected and for that reason the consequences were devastating and were kept in the memory of some Portuguese people.

From the natural viewpoint of São Salvador do Mundo, surrounded by the religious silence that the chapels of the «Via Sacra» (Sacred Road) enhance, one can see mountain and river, the Cachão da Valeira, in a magnificent show that takes our breath away.
One of the natural resources used in the maintenance and development of the region was the mining of minerals such as lead and zinc.

Almond trees are another interesting product, both for their fruit as well as for the view that delights us during every spring.