Castelo Rodrigo
So, this afternoon’s excursion was to a fortified hilltop village of Castelo Rodrigo. This medieval village looks down over the plateau stretching eastwards to Spain and northwards to the deep valley of the River Douro. The fortifications remind us of an age when Portugal and Castille vied for control of the borderlands between the medieval kingdoms. After becoming an important stepping stone on the pilgrim's route to Santiago, the village gradually lost its kudos, with its population dwindling to a mere 50 people.
I couldn’t feel but sorry for the people who live there and have to put up with buses of tourists gawking at their home. There is of course the obligatory craft shop and wine tasting, and a bar. The tour manager told us that the only rest rooms were situated in the shop and bar, but I discovered that out of sight, outside the old village walls, there was a modern toilet block and parking for a number of buses. Again, we didn’t have enough time to really savor the atmosphere of the place which would have been difficult anyway since most of the people walking around were from our boat. And just as we were about to leave more buses arrived from another cruise boat. It all felt a bit like Disney, but then I guess I’m just getting cynical in my old age
Castelo Rodrigo
So, this afternoon’s excursion was to a fortified hilltop village of Castelo Rodrigo. This medieval village looks down over the plateau stretching eastwards to Spain and northwards to the deep valley of the River Douro. The fortifications remind us of an age when Portugal and Castille vied for control of the borderlands between the medieval kingdoms. After becoming an important stepping stone on the pilgrim's route to Santiago, the village gradually lost its kudos, with its population dwindling to a mere 50 people.
I couldn’t feel but sorry for the people who live there and have to put up with buses of tourists gawking at their home. There is of course the obligatory craft shop and wine tasting, and a bar. The tour manager told us that the only rest rooms were situated in the shop and bar, but I discovered that out of sight, outside the old village walls, there was a modern toilet block and parking for a number of buses. Again, we didn’t have enough time to really savor the atmosphere of the place which would have been difficult anyway since most of the people walking around were from our boat. And just as we were about to leave more buses arrived from another cruise boat. It all felt a bit like Disney, but then I guess I’m just getting cynical in my old age