REGION - Alpalina, Lda.

ALTO DOURO > PATRIMÓNIO MUNDIAL

In December 2001, UNESCO has raised the Alto Douro Wine Region Heritage of Humanity. A title given by a unanimous vote that awarded the oldest demarcated wine region in the world, ordered by Marquês de Pombal in 1756. Unique region by gathering the virtues of schist soil and its sun exposure which is privileged with unique characteristics of its microclimate along with the hard work of man from Douro .

Its Landscape highlights three main aspects: the unique character of the territory, the natural relationship between the wine culture, the olive tree, the almond trees and the diversity of the local architecture. Besides these aspects, the application highlighted the remarkable work done by man on the construction of schist walls that extend the slopes and, above all, the authenticity and integrity of the cultural landscape.
The demarcated region of Douro, where the wines are produced corresponding to designations of origin "Port" and "Douro", covers 250 000 hectares, which 48,000 are occupied by vineyards, and form part of 22 towns. However, only 24 000 hectares, or one tenth of this area, which includes thirteen towns, was listed by UNESCO as World Heritage. Nevertheless, the classified area is representative of Douro’s diversity, since it includes the Baixo Corgo space, the Cima Corgo  and  Douro Superior .

The territory of the Alto Douro Vinhateiro, the classified area, part of River Douro’s valley, which is already World Heritage on the extremities, including Oporto, and opposite the archaeological park Côa. The thirteen municipalities that form part of the zone are distinguished by UNESCO Alijó, Armamar, Carrazeda Ansiães, Lamego, Mesão Frio, Peso da Régua, Sabrosa, Santa Marta de Penaguião, São João da Pesqueira, Tabuaço, Torre de Moncorvo, Vila Nova de Foz Côa and Vila Real, stretching along the slopes of the Douro River and its tributaries, Varosa, Corgo, Távora, Torto and Pinhão .

in www.douro-turismo.pt