Viana do Castelo Diocese that lies further north in Portugal. It is well known for the famous "Coração de Viana", a jewel that is three centuries old and continues to be an inspiration for jewellery makers to this day.

In this Diocese, with 2,108 km2 and about 231,488 inhabitants, thousands of young people from all over the world will be welcomed in the Days in the Diocese (DND), from 26 to 31 July, the week that precedes World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023. Viana do Castelo also has 291 parishes and ten Archpriestrics.

But Viana is not only jewels. It is also culture, gastronomy, nature and faith. If you are curious to know more and to sharpen your palate, you can try Sarrabulho, a typical recipe characterised by being a stew with pork and goat kids; Alvarinho, a Portuguese white wine known for being delicate, perfumed and well-structured, and also the famous Arroz-Doce (sweet rice).

Besides the gastronomic experience, you can also visit beautiful monuments and unmissable places in the Diocese of Viana do Castelo, such as the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Santa Luzia hill, the Santa Luzia lift, the Barrocas garden and the Brejoeira Palace.

It is also in this diocese that you can find the oldest town in Portugal: Ponte de Lima. With landscapes worthy of a postcard, this small town with about 41 169 inhabitants is known for the Lima river, which runs through it, and for the Roman bridge that eventually gave its name to the place.

Did you know that...?

1.          

São Teotónio, the first Portuguese saint, was born in Viana do Castelo. He was born in 1082 and was the prior of the Cathedral.

2.          

The National Park Peneda-Gerês is located in this diocese, where the famous pilgrimages and popular festivities are organised, specifically the pilgrimage of Senhora d'Agonia.

3.          

The Diocese of Viana do Castelo is the most recent diocese in Portugal. It was created on November 3, 1977, through the Apostolic Constitution Ad aptiorem populi Dei, authorized by Pope Paul VI.

Find out more about this Diocese here:

The Days in the Dioceses (DND) is an encounter of young people from all over the world that precedes World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023 and will take place in 17 dioceses of mainland Portugal and the islands: Algarve; Angra; Aveiro; Beja; Braga; Bragança-Miranda; Coimbra; Évora; Funchal; Guarda; Lamego; Leiria-Fátima; Portalegre-Castelo Branco; Porto; Viana do Castelo; Vila Real and Viseu.

Over the coming weeks, we will be sharing more about each of these 17 dioceses.

More information about the DND and a map with the location of each diocese here.