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Hiking the top of Monte de Castro Laboreiro, in the heart of the Peneda-Gerês National Park, allows you to visit the ancient fortress of Castro Laboreiro and, at the same time, enjoy the most beautiful views that Melgaço has. To get here, the path is not easy, having to climb a good part on foot, until reaching about 1033 meters of altitude. When you arrive here, however, you forget all the way back, such is the beauty and grandeur of the landscape.
From the old medieval fortification, almost in ruins, it is possible to see the remains of the walls, the keep and an old cistern. The main door, called Porta do Sol, is visible from the east side, while the Porta da Traição or Sapo, on the north side, gives access to the inner terrace. The history of this place began in the Iron Age, and the fortress was later built here, by Dom Afonso Henriques. After being destroyed by a violent storm, Dom Diniz rebuilt it - all this proves its strategic and historical importance, which only reinforces the mysticism that the place transmits. In addition to the historicity underlying the place, it also offers a visit for the fantastic panoramic views it offers.
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Europe is generally agreed to be the birthplace of western culture, including such legendary innovations as the democratic nation-state, football and tomato sauce.The word Europe comes from the Greek goddess Europa, who was kidnapped by Zeus and plunked down on the island of Crete. Europa gradually changed from referring to mainland Greece until it extended finally to include Norway and Russia.Don't be confused that Europe is called a continent without looking like an island, the way the other continents do. It's okay. The Ural mountains have steadily been there to divide Europe from Asia for the last 250 million years. Russia technically inhabits "Eurasia".Europe is presently uniting into one political and economic zone with a common currency called the Euro. The European Union originated in 1993 and is now composed of 27 member states. Its headquarters is in Brussels, Belgium.Do not confuse the EU with the Council of Europe, which has 47 member states and dates to 1949. These two bodies share the same flag, national anthem, and mission of integrating Europe. The headquarters of the Council are located in Strasbourg, France, and it is most famous for its European Court of Human Rights. In spite of these two bodies, there is still no single Constitution or set of laws applying to all the countries of Europe. Debate rages over the role of the EU in regards to national sovereignty. As of January 2009, the Lisbon Treaty is the closest thing to a European Constitution, yet it has not been approved by all the EU states. Text by Steve Smith.
