Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna

Ghost town · Braga

Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna

Ghost town · Braga

1

Campo do Gerês, Portugal

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Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Vilarinh... (Creative Commons)
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by ATLAS_OBSCURA
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null
Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna by null

Highlights

Discover the haunting beauty of Vilarinho da Furna, where ancient ruins peek from the depths during dry spells, nestled within the stunning Peneda-Geres National Park.  

Campo do Gerês, Portugal Get directions

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Campo do Gerês, Portugal Get directions

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Last updated

Mar 4, 2025

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The Sunken World Hiding Under the Water's Surface

"In a rare occurrence, during a particularly dry spell in Portugal’s Minho region, Vilarinho da Furna emerges from beneath the water to reveal the bare walls of a 2000-year-old town destroyed by an electric company. In 1967, construction began on a dam that would flood areas of the River Homem, and provide massive hydroelectricity to the region. Amid some protest, the Portuguese Electricity Company paid off residents to leave their homes, as the dam would completely submerge the small village of 300 people. In 1971, the last resident left the town, and its barren structures awaited the deluge that would bury it beneath the river. In 1972, the town was submerged, plunging over 2000 years of history in the village into water. According to oral accounts, the town was founded by Romans in the 1st century C.E., and was prosperous throughout its history. Today, the barren walls, windows and doors rise mysteriously when the dam water levels fall. A museum dedicated to the lost city was built in nearby São João do Campo, and other commemoration efforts have taken place since the town was flooded 40 years ago. Recently, boats with transparent bottoms have also taken tourists near the village so the remains of the city can be seen and the history not lost forever." - ATLAS_OBSCURA

https://www.atlasobscura.com/lists/sunken-cities-flooded-drowned
View Postcard for Antiga aldeia de Vilarinho da Furna

António Rocha

SerpAPI
The visible ruins from the old vilarinho's village ,emptied for the construction of the dam ,that you cross to get to the village ,as you cross the dam you will se a small shack ,in the summer with people where you have to pay a small tax to pass (only cars and bicycles) the path is a dirt road ,well maintained ,the road distance is around 1.5klm . As you arrive close to the ruins ,you will find a small snack bar ,payed WC ,a space for picnic, a natural water fountain ,BBQ space and parking space ,access for wheelchairs is medium difficulty ,but I don't advise to go to the ruins in wheelchairs since there is to much mud and wheels will get stuck. The ruins provide some beautifull photos and as you walk through you can kinda feel what the village was in those times (they where completely independent of the rest of the country ,own laws and judgement !) It was sad to see that people would not respect the ruins ,using the ruins as open wcs and!leaving garbage ! DO NOT climb the ruins ,the stones are covered on mud and algae ,means they are super slippery (the day of my visit one person was seen falling and becoming hurt) DO NOT move the ruin's stones or push them ! DO NOT leave garbage or use the ruins as wcs DO NOT abuse of the guardian that take scare of the ruins ,just because you can't do what you want to! Respect the locals and the ruins!

André Magalhães

SerpAPI
Great place for a walk. Sports some beaches nearby as well.

Fábio Pinheiro

SerpAPI
As the drought season extends you can have a great look at the former village which gave place to a dam. Great location for photos

Cristina Oliveira

SerpAPI
(Translated by Google) Interesting but sad to see a village that was submerged for 51 years. Too bad I walked 5 km (closed road) and didn't have a cafe to drink water... (Original) Interessante mas triste observar uma aldeia que esteve submersa 51 anos. Pena ter andado 5 km a pé (estrada fechada)e não ter um cafezinho para se beber água...

Tony Stewart

SerpAPI
(Translated by Google) A beautiful place in the Peneda-Geres National Park. We were lucky in 2011 that the remains of the flooded village of Vilarinho da Furna were visible and visitable due to the low water level of the Barragem. (Original) Ein schöner Ort im Nationalpark Peneda-Geres. Wir hatten im Jahr 2011 das Glück das die Überreste des gefluteten Dorfs Vilarinho da Furna durch niedrigen Wasserstand des Barragems sichtbar und zu besuchen waren.

Rui Manuel

SerpAPI
(Translated by Google) Nice walk with the stroller without problems feasible. Small snack bar and toilets available. bathing facilities (Original) Schöner Spaziergang mit dem Kinderwagen ohne Probleme machbar. Kleine Snackbar und Toiletten vorhanden. Bademöglichkeiten

Inês

SerpAPI
(Translated by Google) Turn to see. In summer you can go by car nearby (paying the entrance fee). We went in September, the road was already closed, we walked the way, 20 minutes at will for each side. With children it takes longer. But in the middle you can see a very beautiful waterfall. (Original) Giro de se ver. No verão dá para ir de carro até lá perto ( pagando a entrada). Nós fomos em Setembro, já estava a estrada fechada, fizemos o caminho a pé, 20 minutos a vontade para cada lado. Com crianças leva mais tempo. Mas no meio vê se uma cascata muito bonita.

Nuno Mira

SerpAPI
(Translated by Google) Interesting place to visit, surrounded by incredible nature (Original) Local interessante para se visitar, rodeado de natureza incrível