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Fafe
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Amares Barcelos Braga Cabeceiras de Basto Celorico de Basto Esposende Fafe Guimarães Póvoa de Lanhoso Terras de Bouro Vieira do Minho Vila Nova de Famalicão Vila Verde Vizela
Located at a zone of transition between the mountainous and granite landscape characteristic of Trás-os-Montes on the north of the county and the lush green of the southern part, Fafe offers visitors beautiful and diversified sceneries and likes to be called the «drawing-room of Minho». Crossed by the river Vizela, the county boasts of magnificent views, namely at the dam of Queimadela, much appreciated by adepts of water sports, at the Touristic Hunting Zone on the Serra de Fafe mountains and at the areas between Ruivães and Confurco and from Lagoa to Luílhas. The seat of the county is characterized by what is called the «Brazilian» architecture, manors built by Portuguese emigrants on their return. However, there are other remarkable monuments, such as the 18th-century Mother Church or the manor of Casa do Santo Velho («House of Old Saint»), built in the 17th century by an aristocratic family named Santo which grew so numerous that the Casa do Santo Novo («New») had to be built in the 19th century, and now lodges the Municipal Culture House. The charming Calvary Garden, from where the Serra da Lameira mountains may be seen, is also worth visiting at Fafe. Near the town, the Castro de Santo Ovídio is the county's most important archaeological site, rising on a hilltop with the ruins of a fortified settlement occupied between the 1st century BC and the 1st century AD. At the parish of Arões, the magnificent Romanesque church, dating from the 13th century, has been classified as a national monument, in spite of having been somewhat altered over the centuries. Also worth visiting are the church of São Gens, from the same period, and the medieval church of Our Lady of Snow, at Lagoa, where a typical religious festival is held each Summer. Fafe also boasts of delicious regional food, offering specialities such as a renowned roast veal and the sweets and cakes of Fornelos and Arões, besides the local vinho verde. Traditional handicrafts include hats, baskets and mats of braided straw and beautiful regional embroideries.
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