Description Tarouca

Tarouca is a Portuguese city in the District of Viseu, North Region and sub-region of the Douro, with about 3 500 inhabitants.

It is the seat of a municipality with 100.08 km² in area and 8,048 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into 7 parishes. The municipality is limited to the northeast by the municipality of Armamar, to the east by Moimenta da Beira, to the southwest by Castro Daire, to the south by Vila Nova de Paiva and to the west by Lamego. It was the only municipality in the Douro sub-region to see its population increase in 2018, reaching 7 752 inhabitants. Wikipedia

At the origin of the town, the influence of the region's Monasteries is evident, especially the São João de Tarouca monastery, the first monastery founded by the Cistercian Order in the Iberian Peninsula (12th century) and whose domain covered much of the North of Portugal.

The other Monastery of the Region called Santa Maria de Salzedas was probably founded in the 19th century. XII, having become a very rich monastic house.

The fortified bridge of Ucanha, built in the century. XIII, is a unique specimen in the country. It is a mark of the feudal past in which it took a toll on anyone crossing the territory here, between Lamego and Riba Côa.

Also noteworthy is the region's agricultural wealth, with special mention for wine production as they are made here of the best sparkling wines in the country.