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 Viseu Accommodation
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Viseu - History
The town of Viseu is lodged in history as an strategically important
crossroad and the Romans kept here a strong garrison and their buildings
are recorded as covering a total of 38 square hectares of land. The Romans
were later ousted by the Suevi who with the local inhabitants converted to
the Catholic religion in 6th Century. This tribe of Vandals were in turn
ousted by the Visigoths in the 7th Century who were later to be conquered
by the Moors. These last occupiers of Viseu were in turn conquered
by King Alfonso V of León who later included it in the County of Portucale.
When Dom Afonso created the Kingdom of Portugal the town became an integral
part and has remained such with the occasional interference of both Spain
and France.
In the surrounding area are a number of decorated large standing stones
with detailed carved symbolic lines. To this day no one has yet managed to
accurately interpret their unusual designs or managed to establish from
which era of civilization they have originated. (Visit - Portugal History)
Viseu - Description
Its strong architectural buildings reflect its heritage as a centre of
this important wine-growing region. The Sé is a Cathedral that has
lost its original character due to a number of re-constructions that have
been implemented during the 16th and 17th Centuries. It probably was
originally constructed in the 13th Century as shown by the columns dating
from that period.
The town seems dominated by the Museu de Grão Vasco housed in the
former palace of the Bishop. On permanent display is a large collection of
the paintings of Vasco Fernandes whose school of art was from 1475
to 1540. This school is internationally acclaimed for their painting of
nature and attention to detail. This artist's treatment of light and
shadow indicates that he had travelled and been seemly greatly influenced
by the Flemish School of that period. Also on exhibition are religious
items and further paintings from Vasco Fernandes, and his archrival
the painter Gaspar Vaz. Works from the 19th and 20th Century
artists including the outstanding Columbano, and Bordalo
Pinheiro are also on show.
The Igreja dos Terceiros de São Francisco has an interesting gilded
interior whilst the Igreja da Miseriacórdia is fronted by a very
balanced and attractive Rococo façade. It is in this town that Augusto
Hilário the original composer of the Coimbra style of singing
"Fado" was born.
Viseu - Nearby Locations
To the northwest are the towns of Vouzela and São Pedro do Sul,
two calm and beautiful towns surrounded by homes and manor houses of the
wealthy noblemen from the 13th through to the 19th Century. The first town
mentioned is also noted as the birthplace of Santo Frei Gil (13th
Century), and many other famous Portuguese including the poet João
Ramalho.
To the southwest is the mountain range of the Serra da Caramulo and
its Spa town of Caramulo. Within a single building in this town
there are the collections of the two Lacerda brothers. One brother
specialized in collecting fine art paintings and sculpture ranging from
bronzes of 900BC to an outstanding still-life by Picasso. The other
brother's collection is devoted to automobiles that include an 1899 Peugeot
to Rolls Royce's. Further to the southwest is the town of Santa Comba
Dão set on the bank of the River Dão and the birthplace of
several notable people including the 20th Century statesman and dictator
Oliveira Salazar. The first recorded reference to this town was in
the 10th Century when it was believed to have been originally created as a
settlement by the Visigoths.
Directly to the south of Viseu are the towns of Santar and
Oliveira da Conde, both of which have many architecturally handsome
homes and manor houses, some of which can be visited through booking their
accommodation.
Viseu Weather (detailed)
Detailed Linhares de Beira weather conditions
Viseu Photos
Viseu Cathedral
· Viseu Town Roofs
· Viseu Town
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Viseu Events |
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| Festival of Nossa Senhora do Crasto |
1st week after Easter |
| Town Holiday |
21st September |
| Feira de São Mateus |
14th August to 21st September
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Transmontana Towns
Bragança
· Castelo Branco
· Chaves
· Guarda
· Vila Real
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Useful Viseu Telephone Numbers
3500
