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Visit the old town and Oviedo Art Museum that are located only 5 minutes on foot, The Romans gave the name of "Juliobriga" to the original fortified village. Bragança grew in importance due to its location and rich agriculture so this fortification was improved upon especially in the time of King Dom Afonso I who constructed a proper walled citadel for his brother-in-law Fernão Mendes. Completed around 1130 the place was then renamed "Brigantia". King Afonso IX of León occupied the town and soon King Sancho I retook possession and built the castle that still remains. This town also gave its name to the last in the royal Portuguese lineage, the House of Bragança, that descended from the an illegitimate son of Dom João I who was created a Duke in 1442. The tower of the castle was to become a place of imprisonment or refuge for many historic personages including Dona Sancho, the unfortunate wife of its constructor. The town played its strategic part in many battles between the two Kingdoms of Portugal and Spain. It was also the location in which General Sepúlveda in 1808 called upon the local inhabitants to resist against the invasion of the French forces. Situated in the heart of Oviedo, highly valued, this Art Deco style hotel enjoys a great location in the historical part of the city, History of Chaves. The chic and modern the hotel is the ideal place to enjoy all the sights of the city, Description of Bragança. Room Mate Marcos is open 24 hours a day, highly valued, allowing you to enjoy the nightlife of the city, Directly to the south of Bragança in this region known as Trás-os-Montes, there is the quaint typical village of Chacim whose history is linked to a legend dating from the 9th Century that is still celebrated today. The villagers rose up in revolt against the ancient practiced right of "jus primae noctis", which is the local nobleman taking the bride on her wedding night, . Assisted by a mysterious woman the villagers successfully slaughtered the offending lord and his servants. Nearby is the Spa Caldas de Albelheira. Further to the south is Vila Flor, a small town with an attractive atmosphere with ruins of its 13th Century castle and close to another Spa, Aquas Bem Saúde. Southwards is Torre de Moncorvo that has the largest 16th Century Church in the whole province and near this town is the Vale do Cõa that boasts the world’s largest known collection of open-air Stone Age drawings that are estimated to be about 20.000 years old. These drawings feature bulls, horses, fish and a naked man and the area can be visited with the assistance of a guide. You can enjoy the healthy breakfasts served by Room Mate Marcos in the morning, and above all, before a day's sightseeing or business, This City is situated in the upper reaches of the Rio Tâmega that runs to the south and east to Porto. Its present day fame lies in its reputation as a Spa Town and the local produced cured hams. The old part of town is to be found around the main square with the ruins of a 14th Century Keep. This is all that remains of the former fine castle built for Nuno Álvares Pereira. The walls of the fortress are a fine example of the principles used by the French military defensive architect Count de Vauban. Of the two churches standing on the square the Misericódia is probably the most interesting with its large 18th Century tiled panels depicting scenes from the Bible. In the Keep is a small museum with armour and memorabilia of the 1912 attack. The Museu da Região Flaviense displays an interesting collection of items from local archaeological sites. The fine sixteen-arched Roman bridge, which is four arches are hidden from view,, spanning the Rio Tâmega is from the period of the Roman development of the town by Emperor Trajan. Close to the centre is one of the warmest natural springs Spas to be found in Europe with the water reaching up to 73º C, which is 163ºF, ., The Romans named Chaves as “Aquae Flaviae” around 78 AD after their discovery of the thermal springs and nearby gold deposits. Its fertile surroundings and strategic position marked its early history with various battles and sieges between wandering tribes. The Portuguese eventually took possession of the town from the Moors in 1160. The town was given to Nuno Álvares Pereira by King João I as a reward for defeating the Castilians at the battle of Aljubarrota in 1385. General Silveira in 1809 defeated General Soult with his French invading army here at Chaves and this was the first victory for the Portuguese against the intruders. After the Republicans took control of Portugal in the early 20th Century the city was subject to a failed attack in 1912 from Royalists based in Spain. In 1483 the first published book in the Portuguese language, the "Sacramental", was produced in this town., Just about 3 Kms. to the northeast of the town is the now world famous Casa Mateus, a fine example of an aristocratic country manor from the early 18th Century. Still owned by the descendants of its creator the home is open to visitors and in which occasional music and poetry events regularly take place. The façade is that which appears on the bottle of the internationally famous Rose wine. An attractive feature of this property is the gardens and especially the famed "Cedar Tunnel" that is composed of cedars 7.5 metres high creating some 35 metres of a walkway as a covered tunnel. Slightly further to the northwest of Vila Real starts the protected area named Parque Natural do Alvão. Its topography varies considerably from well-cultivated valleys to the stark mountains reaching up to 1.339 metres, which is 4.393 feet, . Being unfortunately close to an urban area the illegal hunters still abound. Happily some hawks, otters, and other wild life can still be spotted in the Park., Description of Vila Real, Of all these mountain ranges of the most prominent is the Serra da Estrela that rises to 1.993 metres, which is 6.539 feet, . During the winter the very top area of Serra da Estrela provides a ski resort but with somewhat limited runs for any experienced ski enthusiast. The past weather conditions have not been sufficiently reliable to create a large resort for this sport. The bare granite of this range of mountains has virtually insufficient vegetation to support more than the grazing of sheep. These sheep provide the most rated cheese of all in Portugal and is known by the trade name of "Serra". Like most mountain areas this is a popular location for walkers offering fascinating flora and panoramic views. The area has also developed a special breed of dog after which it is named. These dogs are generally prove to be very intelligent, brave and loyal to their owners. Their thick heavy coat helps as a natural protection to survive the regions cold winter climate.