The Mining Region has stories and histories dating back more than 100 years. To know them is to understand the dynamics that took place in this region and its role in the context of the two World Wars. The Germans and the British exploited tungsten and lived peacefully together in these lands, while making a name for themselves in Europe.
The exploitation of the ore during the 20th century indelibly marked the course of the contemporary history of this region and, consequently, of Arouca.
But we have to go back to the Middle Ages to find the first records of Drave’s occupation. This village, protected by the mountains, with its schist houses and white-painted chapel, was home to the Martins until 2000, when it became uninhabited.
LIST OF THE SITES ON THE TRAIL:
– Rio de Frades Mines
– Regoufe Mines
– Drave village
OTHER SITES IN THE MINING REGION:
– Village of Cabreiros
– Portal do Inferno and Garra (G23)
– PR3 – Caminhos do Sol Nascente
– PR6 – Postman’s Way
– PR8 – Black Gold Route
– PR13 – On the Paivô Path
– PR14 – The Magic Village
