Vilar Dam, Embankment dam and hydroelectric station on Távora River, Portugal
Vilar Dam is an embankment dam with hydroelectric facilities on the Távora River in central Portugal. The structure holds water to generate electricity and supplies power to nearby communities.
Construction began in 1958 and finished in 1965 as part of Portugal's effort to develop hydroelectric power. This project was one of several dams built during that period to harness river resources.
The dam infrastructure serves multiple municipalities in the Viseu district, supporting both energy production and public water distribution systems.
The location sits in mountainous terrain with winding roads, so take care when driving to reach it. Several viewpoints around the site offer good angles to see the full structure and surrounding landscape.
The dam's spillway system includes two radial gates capable of discharging 500 cubic meters of water per second through a chute spillway configuration.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
