Viseu, Historical municipality in Centro Region, Portugal
Viseu is a city in central Portugal, sitting on a hillside between two river valleys and marked by old stone walls and several church towers. Streets climb from the flat modern district up to the older core, where houses with white facades and red tile roofs line narrow lanes.
The settlement was founded by the Romans during the early imperial period and later served as a bishop's seat for several centuries. After the Christian reconquest in the early Middle Ages, it developed into a regional trade center with links to coastal towns and the interior.
The name comes from the ancient Roman settlement of Visontium, established two thousand years ago. Today residents celebrate several religious festivals in the old quarter, with processions passing through narrow lanes and flower carpets decorating the squares in traditional patterns.
The old quarter can be explored easily on foot, as most landmarks in the upper part sit close together. The visitor center near the main square provides maps and orientation tips, helping with planning walks around the area.
The town is surrounded by several granite quarries, whose pale stone was used in building many historical structures in the center. Some of these quarries lie just a few kilometers outside and can be reached by walking trails that cross low hills with views over the vineyards.
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