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Estalagem Falcao de Mendonca is a fourteenth century manor house located in the beautiful Douro River region of Portugal .
It is about 35 kilometres from the archaeological park of Foz Coa, classified as World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
The town of Vila Nova Foz Coa is beautifully situated high above the River Coa, one of the tributaries of the Douro.
It is the closest town to the 22,000 years old rock paintings, which were discovered during the construction of a new dam.
Accordingly to UNESCO, this is the most outstanding example of the early manifestation of human artistic creation in this form anywhere in the world.
For the last seventeen kilometres of the River Coa's course, as it wends its way from south to north, these engraved rock panels are spread over a large area. This stretches from where it flows into the river Douro and includes the valleys of other tributary streams of the Coa river.
The countryside around Vila Nova de Foz Coa is an area of olives and almonds making a beautiful sight at blossom time in early Spring. A great contrast to the Port Wine growing area nearby.
Castelo Rodrigo was connected with the Turdulos tribe who came from Ceuto in North Africa in the fifth century BC.
It later became an important path to the pilgrims in their way to the old pilgrimage centre of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
In 1297 all the Riba Coa territory was given to the Portuguese Crown by the king of Leon and Castile.
From the 18th century, Castelo Rodrigo was largely abandoned in favour of less isolated Figueira (de Castelo Rodrigo), now a flourishing little town known for its almond blossom, where this inn is situated.
Recently the castle and the surrounding houses have been restored and the streets are filling again with workshops of craftsmen and the shops selling their products.
Estalagem Falcao de Mendonca has a total of eleven bedrooms including 2 special rooms fitted out for the disabled. All the rooms have private bathrooms, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, air conditioning, internet connection and mini bar.
Traditional cuisine of the region is served in the restaurant. There is also a bar open for residents. A swimming pool and a tennis court are available for guests a short distance from the Estalagem.
Porto (Oporto) International Airport is located approximately 230 kilometres away.
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