“Ever heard of a place that was once a town but isn’t anymore?” That’s Alvarenga. It sits in the municipality of Arouca. Alvarenga is part of the Porto metropolitan area.
Alvarenga is a parish with 38.77 square kilometers. It had 1,057 residents in 2021. That means about 27 people per square kilometer. Alvarenga used to be a town. It even had its own council from 1514 to 1836. This council included Alvarenga Canelas Espiunca and Janarde parishes.
Adriano Teles was born in Alvarenga. He founded the Brasileira cafes. He also started the Sociedade Filarmonica Santa Cruz de Alvarenga in 1902. He was the father of Inocencio Galvao Teles.
Let’s talk about Alvarenga’s heritage. There is the Pillory of Trancoso. Visit the Carreira dos Moinhos. Don’t miss the bridge over the Paiva River. Of course there is a church and some chapels. The Quinta da Picota will become a museum. It will showcase the Arouquesa breed. The Casa da Chieira belonged to the Noronha de Alvarenga family. A family member was an ancestor of Queen Silvia of Sweden.
Looking for some fun? Head to the river beach of Paradinha. It is on the Paiva River. Walk the Passadicos do Paiva. Hike the GR 28 trail. Also you can see the Ponte 516 Arouca.
If you want a rural getaway Alvarenga has options. Check out Quinta da Vila. Or stay at Vila Guiomar. Alvarenga has some important institutions. There is the Sociedade Filarmonica Santa Cruz de Alvarenga. You can also find the Rancho Folclorico da Casa do Povo de Santa Cruz de Alvarenga. And the Grupo Desportivo Santa Cruz de Alvarenga.
Alvarenga includes many places. Acha is one. So are Aguieiras and Albiqueisros. Boavista also known as Cortes is here. As well as Boucas and Bustelo. You’ll find Cabanas Longas and Caminho Novo. Carreira dos Moinhos and Carreiros are here. Carvalhais and Carvalhinho too. Casais and Cefras are part of Alvarenga. You can visit Coelheiras and Cortegaca. Donim and Eiro are also here. Don’t forget Espiunca and Fonte Tinta. Fonte de Vales and Fraga are within Alvarenga. As are Fraguinha and Fundo da Vila. Gandarela and Gola are worth a look. Granja and Guiamonde are included. As well as Lebrem and Maninho. Miudal and Moledo are part of Alvarenga. So are Noninha and Pade. Paco and Paradinha are here too. Visit Pessegueiro and Pirraca. Quintela and Ribeira are within Alvarenga. Santo and Santo Antonio are places to see. Sobral and Trancoso are part of the area. As well as Travessa and Vale de Froias. Varzeas and Vau are worth exploring. Vila and Vila Galega are here. Plus Vila Nova and Vilar de Servos. Finally Vilares and Vitego complete the list.
Alvarenga a place with a past. A place with much to offer. A place waiting to be explored.