Sendim

Sendim is a village in the municipality of Miranda do Douro, in north-eastern Trás-os-Montes, in the Mirandese-speaking area and close to the Douro International Natural Park. According to Rota da Terra Fria it lies about 23 km from Miranda do Douro and 28 km from Mogadouro, and it is known as the "Capital das Arribas" (capital of the cliffs).

It was raised to village status in 1989. In 2011 it had 1,366 inhabitants over 38.31 km² and, since 28 January 2013, it forms part of the União de Freguesias de Sendim e Atenor. Anyone visiting the Castelo de Miranda do Douro can also get to know this plateau village.

Language and festivals

Mirandese is spoken in Sendim, in the local variant called Sendinês. The Festival Intercéltico de Sendim has been held since 1999 on the first weekend of August; the 2025 edition took place on 1 and 2 August, with free entry. The Festas de Santa Bárbara are held on the second weekend of August. Please confirm dates locally.

Heritage

• Igreja Matriz (parish church), with a 14th-century altarpiece, according to Rota da Terra Fria.
• Eremitério Os Santos, a shelter with 16th-century frescoes dated 1553, between Picote and Sendim e Atenor.
• The chapels of São Paulo, São Sebastião and Nosso Senhor da Boa Morte, the Fonte do Lugar fountain and the former railway station.

Food and wine

The posta mirandesa, meat served on bread, is associated with Sendim and with Ti Gabrila, to whom its creation is attributed. The Cooperativa Agrícola Ribadouro makes the wines Pauliteiros, Lhengua and Ribeira do Corso here and, according to Rota da Terra Fria, launched the region's first certified organic wine.