Provesende is a charming parish located in the beautiful municipality of Sabrosa, in the fertile demarcated Douro region, where the famous Porto wine is produced.
Located in a small “plateau” overlooking the river Pinhão, this is a region of great natural beauty, with a strong rural tendency that has persisted over the centuries, especially since the creation of the Douro Wine region, in the 18th century.
This is a place of ancient human occupation, as attested by the remains of a Castro Lusitano, which still today is worth visiting the magnificent panorama.
It is said that the Provesende place name will come from the ancient legend of Zaide. Zaide would be a Moor, brother of Jahia King of Toledo who lived in the towering Castle of São Domingos, in the vicinity of Provesende, formerly known as San Joanes. One day, the castle was attacked by the Christian forces and there was a massacre; they perished all the Moors who lived there, escaping the King Zaide who, nevertheless, was captured, tortured and murdered. In the moment of greatest suffering exclaimed: "prove Zaide, prove Zaide!", leading to the "Provesende" place name.
It is worth walking through the typical and quiet streets of Provesende, where we find the old Pillory, the baroque Parish Church, the 18th century Fountain and the several manor houses , such as the Casas da Praça, the Calçada, the Belezas, the Santos, the Fundo da Vila, among many others that confirm the economic power of this wine-growing village.
Location: Sabrosa
