Landscape inventory
In 2007, the Museu do Douro carried out an indicative inventory of the architectures of the Douro landscape, centered on the historical forms of setting up the land for the cultivation of vines. These employ dry schist stone walls, distinguishing two types: pre and post-phylloxera. These are what form the landscape mosaic, together with other crops that we will get to know in this exhibition.
Pre-phylloxera
terraces
Method of land preparation prior to the appearance of phylloxera, in which the soil is supported by walls whose layout follows the hillside contours, forming narrow terraces with one to two rows of vines. The walls are low, connected through stairs and ramps of simpler construction.
Vineyards at Póvoa (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta do Fornelo (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Vineyards at Cidermas (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta da Foz do Pinhão (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta do Síbio (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Post-phylloxera terraces
Terrain preparation used after the invasion of phylloxera, in which the soil is supported by walls with a straight configuration, forming wide levels that hold a large number of vine rows. In general, the walls are high and the connecting stairs are carefully constructed.
Quinta de Vargelas (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta da Azinheira (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta do Noval (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta do Portelo (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta da Boavista (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Quinta da Corte (2007) by Egídio SantosMuseu do Douro
Diversity creates landscape
One of the striking aspects of the Douro landscape is its mosaic, created by the diversity of agricultural cultures and patches of Mediterranean forest. The vineyard plots are limited by olive tree boundaries, olive groves, vegetable gardens and orchards, being the ridge areas occupied by forests. This combination results in a polymorphic and unique landscape.
Mortórios
Term used to designate the vineyard lands, in terraces, which were abandoned after the devastation of the phylloxera. These areas are usually occupied by shrub or dense forests, and can also be used for planting olive groves
Granite landscape
In the bordering areas of the Demarcated Region, where schist begins to give way to granite, there are several examples of walls made of this stone, which results in a different, but equally monumental, landscape.
Photos: Egídio Santos, Col. Museu do Douro
Texts: Natália Fauvrelle (Museu do Douro/CITCEM)
Translation: Bárbara Amaro; Marco Barradas (Museu do Douro)
Image Treatment: Natália Fauvrelle; Susana Marques (Museu do Douro)
