Rivers Gallery

Terraced vineyards by the Douro River, Portugal

Douro Valley, Portugal - 11 April 2017
The scenic Douro Valley, which runs from the Atlantic coast at Porto all the way into Central Spain, was the first designated wine region in the world. Its vinhateiro (winegrowing) area, devoted to vineyards from Roman times, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The pretty rolling hills by the Douro river are covered by terraced vineyards in whitewashed quintas (wine estates); these are often shared by pretty olive and almond groves. In fact, the whole valley is an area of great natural beauty, welcoming climate and serenity

© Jon Bower at Apexphotos

Dawn at the San Martin bridge in Toledo, Spain

The Puente de San Martin is a medieval bridge over the Tagus River in Toledo, Spain. The bridge was built in the late 14th century by Archbishop Pedro Tenorio to provide access to the old town from the west, complementing the old Alcantara Bridge that connects to the east. Both sides of the bridge were heavily fortified with towers, the most recent dating from the 16th century. Toledo, Spain

Dam on the Douro River, Portugal_bw

Douro, Portugal - 11 April 2014
Dam and red boat on the Douro River of Portugal.
The scenic Douro Valley, which runs from the Atlantic coast at Porto all the way into Central Spain, was the first designated wine region in the world. Its vinhateiro (winegrowing) area, devoted to vineyards from Roman times, has been designated by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. The pretty rolling hills by the Douro river are covered by terraced vineyards in whitewashed quintas (wine estates); the wine, Muscatel, Port and Madeira they produce was traditionally shipped down the river to Porto - and the world beyond - by traditional flat-bottomed rabelo boats.
During the 1950s and 60s, however, a series of locks and dams - including thois one - was constructed on the river to improve navigability. Paradoxically, this stopped the traditional transport of wine down the river by these old boats. This is now done, rather less glamorously, by tankers. Oh dear

© Jon Bower at Apexphotos