porto - régua

CARRAPATELO DAM

The Carrapatelo Dam is located on the Douro River, on the border of the districts of Porto and Viseu, respectively in the municipalities of Marco de Canaveses and Cinfães, in Portugal.

The construction of the Carrapatelo Dam began in 1965 and ended in 1972. Inaugurated on June 18, 1972 by the then President of the Republic, Almirante Américo Thomaz, it was the first hydroelectric project to be built on the national section of the Douro River and is, among five exploitations of the National Douro, which has the biggest drop, 36m.

It is a Gravity-type dam, lightened by means of a large circular gallery next to the foundation. The main spillway is located over the concrete area, controlled by 6 large segment gates, with a span of 26 m and a height of 15.4 m, anchored by powerful prestressed cables to the concrete of the pillars and is dimensioned for a flow maximum of 22 000 m³. The dam has a height of 57 m and a crest length of 400 m.

The total area of ​​the hydrographic basin is 92,050 km² and extends for 40 km, reaching the hydroelectric power station of Régua at the upstream end. The retention quota was foreseen taking into account the problems of flooding and, in particular, the convenience of avoiding interference with the Douro Railway.

Tem ainda uma eclusa de navegação, que foi a primeira a ser construída em Portugal para navegação interior. Conjuntamente com as eclusas dos aproveitamentos hidroelétricos do Pocinho, Valeira e Régua (a montante) e Crestuma-Lever (a jusante), permite transformar o Rio Douro numa via navegável de características internacionais. As suas dimensões, 12,1 m de largura e 85 m de comprimento útil garantem a passagem de barcos até à capacidade máxima de cerca de 1 500 toneladas.

Possui ainda uma eclusa de peixes, integrada na espessura do muro barragem-central e é constituída essencialmente por uma câmara inferior para pesca com 3 entradas, uma galeria inclinada e uma câmara superior. Desta câmara, já em céu aberto, segue-se um canal por onde os peixes se encaminham para a albufeira não sem passarem pelo contador de peixes ali instalado entre duas janelas de observação.

PESO DA RÉGUA

NAME ORIGIN

The origin of the name Peso da Régua is surrounded by uncertainties. Inhabited by Roman and barbarian invasions during the first part of history, its name may have come from different origins. (1) from the name Vila Reggula, a Roman farm that once existed near the historic center. (2) from the word récua (the ships that sailed the waters along the Douro); or derived from the word reguengo (a designation for lands that were assigned to the monarchy).(3) Peso da Régua may also come from the word rule, alluding to the hereditary rights of descendants obtained through charters. It is likely that this rule gave rise to the word Régoa, and later Régua.

Regarding the first word, Peso (weight in English), there are two opinions about its origin: (1) that it was derived from the place where the goods were weighed, or where taxes were collected; (2) that the word was probably used to define the place where animals were weighed.

Located by the Douro River, this town played a leading role in the production and marketing of Port Wine, as it was from here that the wine barrels were transported in rabelo boats to Vila Nova de Gaia, where the wine was aged in the cellars.

Peso da Régua is the perfect destination for those who appreciate good wines and wine culture. It is located in one of the most beautiful regions of Portugal, the Douro Valley, an area declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In this region, the vineyards grown on terraces on the slopes next to the river offer beautiful views that can be admired from the many viewpoints in the area, including those of São Leonardo in Galafura and Santo António do Loureiro.

In the city, there is the Douro Museum that allows you to know the history of the drink and the place.

WHEN?

It is a destination to be visited throughout the year. Visits and tastings to wineries take place in any season. What changes in each season are the colors of the landscape and some activities.

Three imposing bridges cross the Douro River and stand out in the city's landscape.

The Miguel Torga Bridge is the largest. It was inaugurated in 1997, is 90 m high and 900 m long.

The Régua Bridge, built in 1934, is part of the N2 road. It is formed by three larger and smaller arches and is about 350 m long.

The Old Railway Bridge, transformed into the Pedestrian Bridge of Régua, exclusively for pedestrians.

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