Cinfães

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The beautiful village of Cinfães is located on a sloping hillside overlooking the river Douro and limited to the south by Serra de Montemuro. Its history is directly linked to the Templar Knights, who possessed here strongholds, and to several populations that left numerous traces in their paths. Among these are included the Romans, who are responsible for the construction of numerous bridges and churches that enrich the local heritage. Serpa Pinto, a famous explorer of the African continent, is its most famous character. Located in an area of vast hydrographic features, with the Douro to the north and flanked by the rivers Paiva and Cabrum, the Bestança river is the only watercourse exclusively cinfanense. The scenery in its valley is of an immense beauty with waterfalls, windmills, bridges and stone houses, in addition to numerous archaeological remains, most of them in good condition. In recent years, with the eyes of the world increasingly focused in the Douro region, Cinfães has been investing in the tourism activity through the creation of conditions for the practice of water sports and nature activities, quality hotel units and in the promotion of its gastronomy, wines and crafts. The artisanal activity is rich and varied and ranges from the cloakroom and basketry, tinsmith and weaving to the typical clogs and wooden miniatures. Those who visit Cinfães cannot fail to taste the local cuisine. Cabrito ou anho assado com arroz do forno (roasted lamb or goat with rice cooked in the oven), torresmos (pork rinds), papas milhas com fígado de porco cozido (kind of mash made with cooked pork's liver), bolo de forno de farinha de milho com carne gorda ou sardinhas (kind of salty cake made with corn flour and fatty meat or sardines), arroz de lampreia (lamprey rice dish) e lampreia à bordalesa (kind of lamprey stew made with Vinho Verde and ham), sável frito (fried shad), carnes de porco fumadas (smoked pork meats) e rojões à moda de Cinfães (pork dish with potatoes) are the most wanted delicacies. Regarding sweets, taste the delicious pão-de-ló de Cinfães (kind of sponge cake), doces de manteiga (kind of butter cookies), sopa seca (sweet made with leftover bread, water, sugar and cinnamon), formigos (kind of mousse made with Port Wine, raisins, pinions, cinnamon and lemon), bolinhos de centeio (rye cookies) and falachas de farinha de castanha pilada (kind of thin cookies made of homemade chestnut flour). These dishes are of course all accompanied by the delicious local Vinho Verde.