Alijó

Vila Real. Douro Wines

First Producer of Douro Wines

The Municipality (Municipality) of Alijó, district of Vila Real, in North Region, is located in the northeast of Portugal, 95 km (in a straight line) from the city of Porto.

With its lands bounded by the the Douro, Tua, Tinhela and Pinhão rivers, Alijó is located in the sub-region Cima Corgo from Douro Vinhateiro and highlights it stands out above all for its production of wines (reds, whites, sparkling wines and the famous Moscatel de Favaios).
Good olive oils, almonds, potatoes and vegetables are also produced in the municipality.

Subregions of the RDD

The Cima Corgo is one of the three sub-regions of Demarcated Douro Region - RDD. The other two are Baixo Corgo and Douro Superior. The Cima Corgo is the central sub-region of the Demarcated Douro Region, that is, it is located between the Baixo Corgo and the Douro Superior.

A little history

The settlement of the current Alijó took place at the beginning of the 12th century, when King Sancho II ordered the settlement of the place. However, the "occupation Alijó, started in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, attracts several representatives of the nobility and high bourgeoisie, with emphasis on the Marquês de Távora, first donee of Alijó and its terms. The following generations of the Marquis remained lords of the council, namely during the Joanina, Filipina and part of the dynasties. from Brigantina, until the reign of D. José, (when) suspected of being involved in the attempted assassination of King D. José I, the Távoras were executed" [Valetua.pt].

Wine power

With 208,554 hectoliters produced, the municipality of Alijó is the first producer of Douro and Port wines, ahead of Lamego and São João da Pesqueira.


Land of good wines, crossed by the rivers Douro, Tua, Tinhela and Pinhão, located in the Alto Douro Vinhateiro and in the region Demarcated from the Douro, which is listed as a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Find out more: Alto Douro Vinhateiro, Heritage of Humanity.

Wines from the Alijó Plateau

One of the differentials of the wines of Alijó is that parts of its land are located at an altitude of 600 m, which gives the vineyards more freshness. In addition to Alijó, this phenomenon also occurs in Sabrosa, Vila Real, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Vila Nova de Foz Côa, Meda, Armamar and Tabuaço.

Alijó Attractions

The settlement of Alijó by noble families "made Alijó an architecturally rich municipality, of which several manor houses, manors, churches and chapels in the various parishes" (CM Alijó).

Among the main tourist attractions in Alijó of cultural, historical and religious heritage, the following stand out:

• Historic Center and the Mansions of the Nobles

• Mother Church

• Alijó pillory

• Pillory of São Mamede de Ribatua

• House of Távora

• Tapir (dolmen) of Fonte Coberta

• Wineries and farms

Find out more: Touristic attractions in Alijó

Land of good wines and good food

With several renowned wines, the highlight goes to Favaios, served as an aperitif. Other good local wines accompany the cuisine of Alijó well, which includes sausages, game, kid in the oven, milk lamb, Bísaro pork, among other specialties of the traditional cuisine of the Douro.
Find out more: Gastronomia de Alijó


Drop in demographics
With 298 km², the municipality has 10,486 inhabitants (INE, 2021). This population is divided into the 14 parishes that make up the municipality (municipality). In 2011, Alijó had a population of 11,942; that is, the population fell by 12.2% in this period.

Location

Alijó is located in the eastern part of the Vila Real district. The municipality municipality is limited to the north by the municipalities de Vila Pouca de Aguiar and Murça, east by Carrazeda de Ansiães, to the south by São João da Pesqueira and west by Sabrosa.