Municipality welcomes Podence’s entry into the Aldeias de Portugal route

-PUB-

The City Council of Macedo de Cavaleiros has already welcomed this elevation, stressing, through its president, Benjamim Rodrigues, that “if there is a village that deserves to be awarded for its authenticity, it is Podence”, known for the Entrudo Chocalheiro, classified as Heritage Cultural Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity since 2019. An event that preserves the specificity of living in Trás-os-Montes and is today one of the last strongholds of an endangered way of life.

“The daily life of Podence exhibits a very unique experience and dynamics, full of identity, which, from now on, by being part of the «Aldeias de Portugal» circuit, will be exponentiated, which will ultimately result in the benefit of the resources endogenous local and, equally, councils”, explained Benjamim Rodrigues.

Close to Azibo, the largest reservoir in the region – which invites you to bathe and participate in extreme activities and to rest well -, Podence’s historical heritage is made up mainly of landmarks of a profane religious nature that spans the baroque and neoclassical eras, but also most current.

The Chapel of Santa Eufémia, the Church of Podence and the Igreja Matriz de Lamas de Podence are some must-see landmarks, not forgetting Casa do Careto. The village’s river beach (with the Blue Flag and Quercus’ “golden quality” seal) – an open door to the Geopark Terras de Cavaleiros – is another point of interest and unique beauty, as well as Quinta do Pomar do Azibo. References with the dozen of graffitis that embellish the walls of several houses in the village, which give new life and color to Podence and make it the most colorful village in Portugal.

The excellence of this region, it should be recalled, recently again merited the recognition of the Portuguese who once again elected the beaches of Albufeira do Azibo as well as Entrudo Chocalheiro as two of the distinguished brands in the Five Star Regions Award.

Podence’s classification puts an end to a few months of analysis of the different aspects required for candidacy. ATA, remember, was founded in 1999 and is made up of several institutions committed to boosting socio-economic development, tourist promotion and heritage preservation of rural territories most representative of the origins of genuine Portuguese identity.

With this nomination, Macedo de Cavaleiros now has two villages on the list of Aldeias de Portugal, since the village of Chacim, with its Convent of Balsamão and the Royal Filatório, is also included in this list.

From the 28th to the 30th of July, remember, the village of Podence will host the 1st Festival do Careto. It is an event with traditional music and varied activities, with initiatives also taking place in Azibo, many of them similar to what happens during Entrudo Chocalheiro, an event with a long tradition and which, this year alone, received more than 60 thousand people over the four days of Shrovetide.