{"id":1151,"date":"2020-03-09T13:50:30","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T13:50:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/?p=1151"},"modified":"2020-03-09T13:50:30","modified_gmt":"2020-03-09T13:50:30","slug":"a-trip-to-northeast-portugal-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/?p=1151","title":{"rendered":"A trip to Northeast Portugal &#8211; part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>This is the second part of a four-part instalment about my recent visit to the Vila Nova de Foz C\u00f4a (VNFC) region. Part 1 can be found here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed-wordpress wp-block-embed is-type-wp-embed is-provider-paulobizarrophotoblog\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"gEAlflCwpr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/?p=1149\">A trip to Northeast Portugal &#8211; part 1<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe title=\"&#8220;A trip to Northeast Portugal &#8211; part 1&#8221; &#8212; PauloBizarroPHOTOBLOG\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\" sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" style=\"position: absolute; clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/?p=1149&#038;embed=true#?secret=gEAlflCwpr\" data-secret=\"gEAlflCwpr\" width=\"600\" height=\"338\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>For the first full day in VNFC, we had booked a visit to two\nof the Upper Paleolithic (22,000 \u2013 10,000 BC) rock art sites located along the\nC\u00f4a river valley. In the mid- 1990\u2019s, archaeologists working in the area\ndiscovered several open \u2013 air rock art sites, and soon their importance was\nrecognized. At the time, there were plans to build a dam in the C\u00f4a river,\nwhich would have drowned them. A big public discussion went on with arguments\nfrom both sides; at the end of it, the dam was cancelled, and a large part of\nthe area was classified by UNESCO as World Heritage. Rightly so, if you ask me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These sites constitute the oldest record of human engraving\nactivity in the world, being also unique in the fact that they exist in the\nopen, not in caves, as it was more typical of the time. 20,000 years ago, man\nengraved thousands of drawings depicting horses and cattle on the schist rocks\nof the C\u00f4a valley, a tributary of the Douro river, in northeastern Portugal. The\nengravings essentially portray animalistic figures, although a human\nrepresentation is known. The most represented animals are horses and bovines\n(aurochs, which are now extinct).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since 2018, Arte do C\u00f4a (which includes the Vale do C\u00f4a\nMuseum and Archaeological Park) has become part of the Council of Europe&#8217;s\nCultural Itinerary, where sites such as Lascaux, Chauvet, Niaux (France),\nAltamira (Spain) or Valcam\u00f3nica are represented (Italy).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There are three sites open to the public for visiting, with\nguided tours departing from the dedicated museum in VNFC, and the village of\nCastelo Melhor. Depending on the exposure to sunlight, two of the sites have\nmorning visits (Ribeira de Piscos and Canada do Inferno), while the third one\ncan be visited in the afternoon (Penascosa). For more details, please see here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/arte-coa.pt\/en\/visit\/\">https:\/\/arte-coa.pt\/en\/visit\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"954\" height=\"589\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Slide5.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Slide5.jpg 954w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Slide5-300x185.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Slide5-768x474.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/Slide5-825x510.jpg 825w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 954px) 100vw, 954px\" \/><figcaption>Location map of the rock art sites.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The museum in VNFC is located about 3 km away from the town,\nalong a road that this time of the year is full of blooming almond trees. I\nmade an early start, before sunrise, to make some photos of the landscape. It\nis simply a beautiful landscape, with the soft rolling mountains and steep\nhills descending into the C\u00f4a and Douro valleys. The terraced hills are a\ntestimony to the perseverance of man to try and tame Nature for centuries. Today,\nthe almond and olive trees dominate. So early in the morning, the river valleys\nare covered with fog, which adds mystery and beauty to the landscape. The\nmuseum\u2019s building itself is quite interesting, as it was built to resemble a\nlarge block of schist lying in the ground.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_23_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_23_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_23_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_23_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_23_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Before sunrise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_28_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1178\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_28_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_28_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_28_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_28_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Before sunrise.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_13_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1174\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_13_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_13_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_13_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_13_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Almond blossoms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_31_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1179\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_31_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_31_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_31_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_31_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Almond blossoms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_14_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1175\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_14_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_14_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_14_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_14_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Museum building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_36_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1180\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_36_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_36_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_36_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_36_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Fog over the river C\u00f4a valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_38_viv_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1181\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_38_viv_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_38_viv_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_38_viv_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/fozcoa_23_2_20_38_viv_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Fog over the river C\u00f4a valley.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The first visit was to the Ribeira de Piscos site, a small\ncreek that is a tributary on the left bank of the C\u00f4a. As all visits, it\nrequires driving in a 4WD along some rough dirt tracks, but our guide, Marina,\nhandled that smoothly. One of the main attractions \u2013 besides the rock art\nitself \u2013 is being able to experience the surrounding landscape and the\npeacefulness of the area. The highlight of this visit is the engraving of a\nhuman figure, the famous \u201cMan of Piscos\u201d. There is also a small rock with four\nsmall horses finely engraved with an amazing level of detail, including ears\nand hooves. The last rock panel holds a near \u2013 life size aurochs\u2019 depiction,\nthat would have been visible from the opposite bank of the C\u00f4a river. Closing my\neyes, it was easy to imagine being here 20,000 years ago and picture our first\nancestors living in the vicinity and hunting these animals. At the time, an Ice\nAge was on, but today, in late February and at the bottom of the valley, it is well\nover 20 Celsius, quite warm for the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_2_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1187\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_2_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_2_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_2_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_2_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>C\u00f4a river near Ribeira de Piscos.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_12_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1188\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_12_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_12_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_12_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/ribpiscos_23_2_20_12_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Ribeira de Piscos rock art.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>It was with some regret that we had to return to VNFC, where\nwe had lunch. In the afternoon, we would visit the Penascosa site, meeting our\nguide in the village of Castelo Melhor. Again, the drive from VNFC to this\nsmall village afforded impressive views over the landscape, with the bonus of\nthe ever-present almond trees in bloom. Castelo Melhor is an old village, with\na small castle in ruins at the top of a hill. Its history goes back to\npre-roman times. It\u2019s first \u201cforal\u201d or charter, was granted in the year 1209 by\nking Afonso IX of Leon. In 1297, the village became part of Portugal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_9_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1189\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_9_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_9_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_9_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_9_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Castelo Melhor &#8211; castle at top of the hill.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_11_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_11_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_11_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_11_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_11_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Castelo Melhor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_3_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1191\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_3_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_3_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_3_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_3_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Castelo Melhor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_5_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1192\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_5_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_5_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_5_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_5_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Castelo Melhor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_12_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1194\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_12_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_12_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_12_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/cmelhor_23_2_20_12_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Castelo Melhor seen from afar.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>From here, a short drive takes visitors to the Penascosa\narchaeological site, located on the right bank of the C\u00f4a river. This is a busy\nplace with more visitors than in the morning, because there are more rock\npanels and engravings to see. Still, the silence in the landscape along the way\nis only perturbed by chirping birds and buzzing bees. Before descending to the\nsite, it is mandatory to stop and admire the view, including the Erva Moira\nwinery and farm on the opposite bank of the river. Again, this is typical Douro\nwine terraced landscape, but with a significant area where almond and olive\ntrees are cultivated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_8_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_8_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_8_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_8_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_8_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Erva Moira &#8211; C\u00f4a valley and wine country.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_25_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1186\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_25_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_25_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_25_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_25_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>C\u00f4a river at Penascosa.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Arriving at the site, indeed several 4WD vehicles are\nparked, attesting to the popularity of the place. Still, the groups are split\nbetween the several rock panels, and everything proceeds at a leisurely pace,\nas befits the location. A few meters behind us, the river C\u00f4a glides smoothly,\nsurrounded by the mountainous terrain. Pre-historic man has left us a\nsignificant number of engravings (36 engraved rocks), depicting several\nanimals. In some instances, a sensation of movement is transmitted by having\nthe same animal\u2019s head in three different positions. Also unique to this site\nis the representation of a fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"683\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_12_net-683x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1184\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_12_net-683x1024.jpg 683w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_12_net-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_12_net-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_12_net.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 683px) 100vw, 683px\" \/><figcaption>Penascosa rock art.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_13_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1185\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_13_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_13_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_13_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_13_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Penascosa rock art.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_20_net-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1196\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_20_net-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_20_net-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_20_net-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/penascosa_23_2_20_20_net.jpg 1500w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Penascosa rock art &#8211; fish.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>At the end of this very full day, we were all left with a\nprofound respect and admiration for our ancestors of the C\u00f4a valley. They were\ntrue artists, and they were the first to bring art from inside the darkness of\nthe caves to the full light of day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In terms of photos, there are no restrictions, except it is\nnot allowed to touch the rocks, of course. I found it useful to have a small\nmacro lens like the Fujinon 60 f\/2.4 to be able to achieve some close-up\ndetails of the engravings. Plus, some macro photos of the almond blooms. Other\nthan that, a wide angle is mandatory for the sweeping landscapes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On part 3 of this series, we will depart VNFC and will go to\nFreixo de Espada a Cinta, crossing one of the most beautiful areas of Portugal.\nWe will end the day right at the border with Spain in a fluvial beach at\nCongida, well inside the International Douro National Park.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This is the second part of a four-part instalment about my recent visit to the Vila Nova de Foz C\u00f4a (VNFC) region. Part 1 can be found here: For the first full day in VNFC, we had booked a visit to two of the Upper Paleolithic (22,000 \u2013 10,000 BC) rock art sites located along &hellip; <a href=\"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/?p=1151\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">A trip to Northeast Portugal &#8211; part 2<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3,2],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1151"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1151"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1220,"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1151\/revisions\/1220"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.paulobizarro.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}