This fine magnificent city is a step back into the Middle Ages. This city and municipality is located in the Dao- Lefoes sub-region of the Centro Region in Portugal. The municipality and city has a total area of 507 square kilometers. The land area has many irregular surfaces with high points of 400 to 700 meters. The rough terrain has many bodies of water where three basins are found, namely the Vouga, the Dao and the Paiva. This makes the municipality a zone of many microclimates, known as areas of transition. The bodies of water interacting with the Serra do Caramulo that is found out to the western area of the city, makes the weather of the Concelho be in the extremes as very wet winters and very dry summers.
The most developed area in the Viseu Concelho is the Grandes Areas Metropolitanas. This area is in the northern central part of the city as it has been a center of commerce for telecommunications, industry, trade and education. An industry that flourishes in the region is the processing of Dao wine, an inebriating spirit. There is the Dao Wine Institute and the Solar do Vinho do Diao that makes the city its home. There are three universities within its confines making it both as an educational as well as commercial hub in the region. The locale is also the crossroads to the Aveiro seaport in the Atlantic to Guarda on the Portuguese-Spanish border and then to Salamanca in Spain. Coimbra, the capital of the Centro Region, is a far eighty kilometers away. Another aspect that Viseu is known for is its art scene, as it is the site of the Grao Vasco Museum. There is also a thriving industry of handicrafts offered to all such as black pottery, bobbin lace, copper and wrought iron items and embroideries. These industries make up the richness of commerce and culture in the region.
Over the course of history, Viseu is well known as an urban center and home of national hero Viriathus. During Roman times, the town’s name was culled from the Roman term viso meaning good view. This was due to the original Roman settlement’s location, which is the highest point of the locale. On the square is the large cathedral with twin towers designed in the Manueline tradition in the exterior and magnificent baroque altarpiece and cloister is in the Baroque tradition. Then in 714 AD, Viseu was conquered by the Moors and holds it for almost a full century. In 791, the forces led by Alfonso II of Asturias recaptured the city. Upon the victory of Alfonso II, a grave was found bearing the inscription “Hic requiescat Rudericus rex gothorum” or “here lies Rodrigo gothic king”. Rodrigo was known as the last Visigoth king before Iberia fell to the Moors and was believed to have been killed in the Battle of Guadelete, but his body was never found. The Moors were able to recapture the city in 930 AD. The city was fully liberated by Ferdinand I of Leon from the Taifa of Batlabus in 1058.
Viseu is known as the birthplace of one of the foremost painters of Portugal, Vasco Fernandes, or more known as Grao Vasco. His name is enshrined in the museum that showcases most of his works, the Grao Vasco Museu. The museum is situated in the former Episcopal palace and his seminal work inspired others to form the School of Viseu. The most important work by Grao Vasco is the fourteen-panel work depicting the life of the Christ. Another masterpiece is The Adoration of the Magi, where Balthazar is pictured as an Indian king from Brazil. Two other works showcased is the St Peter Enthroned and the Last Supper.
The museum is not the only place of historical interest in the city. There are a large number of churches, convents and chapels located all throughout the city. All in all, there is a cathedral, six major churches, four minor chapels and two convents together with the bishop’s palace. The cathedral is in the center of town and opposite it is the Igreja de Misericordia. The church is acclaimed for its Rococo façade and the religious artifacts in the church are both venerated and valuable.
The Praca Dom Duarte is a romantic square filled on all sides with wrought iron balconies and with stunning views of the cathedral. The street of many activities is the Rua Direita with its many shops, cafes and old townhouses. Another vibrant square is the Rossio that showcases a long mural with blue and white tiles that depict country life. The mural fronts the 19th century town hall that has many more scenes of Viseu’s history and famous people. There are also fine pieces of woodwork and a courtyard. Lying a little distance to the south is the Church of the Brotherhood of St Francis built in the 18th century. To the south is República Square or Rossio, the vibrant main square with a long mural attractively covered in blue and white tiles depicting scenes of country life. Across from the mural is the 19th century town hall, with more tiles featuring the town’s history and personalities, fine woodwork, and a courtyard in the interior, and to the south is the 18th century baroque Church of the Brotherhood of St. Francis. Sitting atop a hill is mansion of the Moorish style that was once the home of the first director of the Grao Vasco Museum. The manor is called the Almeida Moreira House Museum with a wide array of paintings, ceramics, furniture and antiques that bring the visitor back in time. Another place to enrich the soul is the Teatro Viriato, named after the Lusitanian king who fought the Roman invaders of the Viseu. The statue of Viriato stands at the edge of town to welcome its visitors.
The views from Viseu are not only seen atop the Cathedral’s watchtowers. This was the view in the ancient times. Now, in the modern times, the views of the city have changed into the great future that lies in store for the city of Viseu.