The name of Casa do Rio comes from recognising the beauty that Branda da Aveleira offers between Earth, Water, Sun, Fauna and Flora... A healthy energy that is indispensable to Life, and also from the fact that the house is very close to the River Aveleira.
As it is only a short distance from the Peneda-Gerês National Park, its location is even more appreciated, with the Garranos and Cachena cattle, which are very common in these parts, standing out in the landscape!
It thus becomes an embrace between nature and the men who walk through each part of the mountain, where the crystal-clear water and the visitor's desire to return to Branda da Aveleira go hand in hand.
Casa do Rio is part of the traditions of the local people and community, offering a place of comfort and relaxation that nature lovers are looking for! Being set in such a picturesque and pleasant Branda will envelop you and who knows, maybe the metamorphosis of Man into ‘Brandeiro’ will take place!
Now for a bit of history...
Every year, at least since the 12th century, at the beginning of May, the ‘Brandeiros’ (people who transhumanced to the Brandas) from the parish of Gave, in the municipality of Melgaço, would take their flocks up to the pastures of Branda da Aveleira, thus freeing up the land at lower altitudes for growing maize and beans. The herds were mainly made up of cattle, sheep and horses, with some goats.
By definition, the Branda is the place where summer time is spent, the time of year when the weather conditions are ‘milder’ (or 'brandas') than during the winter, when the shepherds return to their homes in the village.
When the tradition was still followed, the ‘brandeiros’ stayed on the mountain throughout the summer, with only a few of them going down to the village on Saturday to attend Sunday mass and bring supplies for the branda. This was a communal and mutual endeavour, with the ‘brandeiros’ who went down bringing food for those who stayed.
The Branda da Aveleira, situated at an altitude of around 1100 metres, where the river Vez is formed by the waters of the Aveleira, Vidoeiro and Calçado streams, is a mountain area marked by human presence and where traces of the Ice Age known as the ‘Wurm Glaciation’ are still visible.
Branda da Aveleira, due to its traditions and location, offers its visitors great opportunities to enjoy the magnificent scenery, on foot or by mountain bike, following the various trails, always accompanied by the calm of the mountains.
And at the end of the day, it invites you to savour a fine plate of local cuisine in the only restaurant in the area, which owes its name to the man from the mountains: ‘O Brandeiro’.
Come, sit by the fire and let Casa do Rio captivate you!