The São Salvador do Mundo Viewpoint is, in our opinion, one of the best viewpoints in the region, providing, besides the incredible view, a strong image of the area's religion. This is because where this viewpoint is located is also the largest sanctuary in the Alto Douro Wine Region.
To get here, and as soon as you leave the municipal access road to the viewpoint, a first chapel will appear, called the Chapel of Largo das Covinhas. From here, although the road to the viewpoint seems to be inaccessible by car, you can follow this road, which, although narrow and steep, leads to a parking lot.
In our case, as we did not know it, we left the car in the large square next to this chapel and walked on foot - the path is easy, although it is uphill. The first view that will come to you are the curves of the lands that flank the Douro River. However, the best of this viewpoint is yet to come!
The Sanctuary of São Salvador do Mundo, as it is called, was started to be built in the 16th century. Here, there are currently a significant number of chapels, with different historical representations, creating a link between them: a pilgrimage route.
Following through the large group of chapels that can be found here, in what is considered the largest sanctuary in the Alto Douro Vinhateiro (Upper Douro Wine Region), several distinct paths lead to the main view: the Barragem da Valeira (Valeira Dam).
The way to this viewpoint is not well identified, having only a small wooden plaque that hides in the middle of the surrounding landscape. We advise you to go always to the highest part, trying to reach the chapel that is at a higher altitude: it is on its side that you can see the view over the dam.
Besides this beautiful viewpoint, we also recommend a stop at the beautiful village of São Xisto, a few minutes from the viewpoint, and in São João da Pesqueira, the county seat.
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