Description Vila Velha de Ródão

Vila Velha de Ródão is a municipality marked by the contrast between the land and the Tagus River, sculptor of a unique and stunning landscape, where the abundance of natural resources attracted several species of fauna and flora and guaranteed the survival of the first human populations that, since prehistory, settled in the region.

An imposing gorge carved by the river in the quartzite crest of the Serra do Perdigão, the Portas de Ródão are an essential reference in this landscape and serve as habitat for the largest colony of griffins in the country. It is a privileged place where 116 species of birds can be observed, many of them considered endangered and some rare.

In this place of astonishing beauty, the Castelo do Rei Wamba also rises on a cliff overlooking the Tagus. Despite the legends that associate it with the Visigoth king, it is believed that its origin goes back to the period of the Christian Reconquest, a time when the remaining watchtower tower was built to guarantee the defense of the territories conquered by Muslims.

The region is also home to the Tagus Valley Rock Art Complex, one of the most important post-paleolithic art collections in Europe, consisting of more than 20,000 engravings, the discovery of which led to several archaeological rescue campaigns until its almost complete submersion. , in 1974, due to the construction of the Fratel dam. These campaigns made it possible to obtain replicas of the engravings and a large documentary body that led to the creation of the Rock Art Interpretation Center of the Tagus Valley, whose mission is to support the study and preservation of this heritage.

A scenario where time seems to slow down and history and nature invite you to discover more, the municipality offers visitors various points of tourist interest, ranging from the museological centers of the different parishes, to leisure experiences linked to nature, geotourism and gastronomy .