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História
e Cultura
Explore
the village of Castro Laboreiro. Hike to the mountain fortress; visit
the keep, the roughly paved lanes, the Celtic and medieval bridges.
On the Castro Laboreiro high plain seek out the silence of megalithic
monuments (the highest concentration on the Iberian Peninsula). Not
far from the camp ground rejoice in the religious grandeur of the "Santuário
da Senhora da Peneda".
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region, lovingly called "Região Castreja" (the region of
castles and forts) offers a staggering variety and range of handicrafts,
smoked meats, cuisine, natural products (honey, infusions, etc.), and the
incomparable "Vinho Alvarinho" (Alvarinho wine). |
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This
is also the home of the legendary and internationally recognized "Castro
Laboreiro" breed of dog. Admired for its loyalty and bravery in guarding
cattle, it is a breed esteemed as a pet for its loving and careful nature
toward children.
A
final note, one cannot fail to mention the "Festas" and "Romarias"
(popular and religious holidays) which set the calendar for this region.
The feast most commonly celebrates a saint and is markedly catholic. Windows
and doorways overlooking the route to be taken by the procession are decorated
with banners, silk bedspreads and colorful blankets. The romarias are
places of pilgrimage, located outside of the town or city limits. Usually
they are small chapels surrounded by picnic grounds. Each locality may
have several groups (rusgas or ranchos) which walk together, the women
carrying the food in baskets on their heads and the men carrying the wine
in gallon jugs.
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