Fortaleza de Valença

Portugal and Spain are side by side to each other and the frontier between both countries is really large. Some cities near the borders have even mixed cultures. A great example is the city of Valença in Portugal.

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Valença is located just a river away from Spain in the north border of Portugal. It is a small and very old city where spanish (More specifically galician) and portuguese cultures meet. In the center of Valença you can eat great churros (Which are a spanish dish, for example). Also, it is common to hear people talking in galician in the streets.

Besides that intresting culture, Valença has also its uniqueness. It is a village surrounded by a great wall, that used to be a fortess to prevent from invasions. The city has resisted to a lot of wars during the middle age and the unification of countries in Europe - it has even fought against Napolean's army during the 18th century - And won!

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Also, Valença is part of the portuguese route to Santiago de Compostela and many peregrins pass by the city.

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Nowadays the city walls are open for visitations. You can walk on the city's ancient fortress and admire the view to Spain on the other side of the river.

It is a very romantic sightseeing. That's why the walls are now known as lovers fortress.

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TIP: enjoy the sunset walking down the walls - It's stunning!