Douro Valley, designated by UNESCO as World Heritage in 2001, got the majority of the votes in the competition for the most breathtaking Portuguese landscapes and works of art. The Historical Village of Piódo and Cante Alentejano placed second and third, respectively. A mobile phone company sponsored the competition, which was held on social media. It fell to photographers Joo Amorim and Joo Berardino to make the pivotal move towards the victory of a region whose wine - the world-famous and award-winning Port wine - has been produced by traditional owners for two thousand years. Other national icons at stake in the race included Madeira Wine, Pottery, Tiles, Serra da Estrela, and Serra da Freita. These photographers are responsible for the photos of the unmatched terraces that inspired the Portuguese voters.
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According to Joo Bernardino, who was reported by numerous media sites, "The Douro Valley Region is an excellent winner of Portugal's masterpiece." With a mix of appreciation and ongoing amazement, I frequently visit this area that I am familiar with. The Douro is the winner despite the fact that there are so many other wonders that could have been. Joo Amorim highlighted the people, the wine, and the surroundings. He asserted, "There is no place like this." "The Douro is a fair winner, even though I am a fan of many other places in Portugal."Promote the natural, cultural, historical, architectural, and gastronomic landmarks of Portugal with Portugal's Masterpiece. It is crucial to consider the remarkable qualities of a location that leaves no one indifferent in light of the win being claimed by the Douro Wine Region, a region with fewer than 200 000 residents. What does Douro, the oldest wine area in the world with a defined boundary, actually have?
Vineyard, for sale, in Adorigo, Douro Valley, Portugal
The Douro River, along with its principal tributaries, the Varosa, the Corgo, the Távora, the Torto, and the Pinho, form the spine of this stunning region, which is shielded from the Atlantic winds by the schistose mountains of Maro and Montemuro. Nearly 25,000 hectares of land are covered by the Douro's terraces, which frequently resemble golden waves and enchant photographers from Portugal and abroad as well as locals and tourists. These terraces were first constructed at the end of the 19th century and have significantly altered the landscape, not only because of the walls that support them but also because of their slope, which enables them to better take advantage of the sun. They only fit one or two rows of vines and are one of the most Instagrammable images in the world. Beautiful tourist farms can be found in the Douro, practically all of them have swimming pools. Since 2011, an average of one hotel unit has opened each month. This is because it is possible to sunbathe there during seasons when the rest of the country experiences temperatures well below 20 degrees.
The perfume that emanates from the numerous orange and apple orchards that can be smelled on the river's banks and on the hillsides is another unmistakable attribute of the Douro. Every home has a fruit tree. And practically every owner operates in the traditional manner. Chapels and serpentine-like streets dot the horizon, reflecting both tradition and the advancement of culture. In reality, the Douro is the region of northern Portugal that best exemplifies the strong bond between humans and the natural world, both in terms of the limited resources of the land and the difficulties this mountainous region presents to those who farm it. It is also there that the boldness, tenacity, and wisdom of the vine through many centuries are most strongly felt.
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The overall status of this iconic and historic environment has been consistently monitored as part of the UNESCO classification for more than 20 years, and the findings are always positive: the general state is good. One of the most recent reports stated that while there have been adjustments, the integrity has not been compromised. Thus, the increasingly established and sustained authenticity of this region—which never stops enticing tourists—survives unaltered. The new bridge connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia will bear the name of Antónia Adelaide Ferreira (1811–1896), better known as Ferreirinha, a brave and successful businesswoman who was a legend in the Douro Wine Region in the 19th century. This achievement attests to the bridge's significance and was already recognised in 2023. She was one of the individuals who made the biggest contributions to the global affirmation of port wine at a time when women were powerless.
The overall status of this iconic and historic environment has been consistently monitored as part of the UNESCO classification for more than 20 years, and the findings are always positive: the general state is good. One of the most recent reports stated that while there have been adjustments, the integrity has not been compromised. Thus, the increasingly established and sustained authenticity of this region—which never stops enticing tourists—survives unaltered. The new bridge connecting Porto and Vila Nova de Gaia will bear the name of Antónia Adelaide Ferreira (1811–1896), better known as Ferreirinha, a brave and successful businesswoman who was a legend in the Douro Valley Region in the 19th century. This achievement attests to the bridge's significance and was already recognised in 2023. She was one of the individuals who made the biggest contributions to the global affirmation of port wine at a time when women were powerless.
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