Lane in Provesende

The landscape varies according to the paths or lanes we take. It is for this reason that the Douro of the roads of today is very different from the Douro of the paths of yesteryear. And even though asphalt may reduce time, distance and, to a degree, standardises the landscape one catches glimpses of, the paths of the Douro men were in the past full of life, gestures and action. Most of daily life took place on the paths, the comings and goings from work, business was conducted, spiritual consolation was sought in the churches and chapels in the region. But they were, also, dangerous places, of thieves, robbers and death, because the life that effervesced in these routes also brought the plague, news of far-off battles or the centralising strong-arm of the authorities.