Pinhão Station

Pinhão station is best known for its blue and white tile panels that tell the story of the region:

Harvesting of grapes (the vindima ), transport by ox cart and boat (rabelo), working in the vineyards.

Installed in the 1930s, these panels pay an artistic tribute to the port wine culture so characteristic of the region.

The journey from Porto to Pinhão is considered one of the most beautiful train journeys in Europe , along the banks of the Douro. The region around Pinhão is included in the UNESCO World Heritage (Alto Douro Vinhateiro) .

The station was built in the late 19th century. The station played a crucial role in the logistics of the port wine export . Before the arrival of the train in the 19th century, barrels of wine were mainly transported by rabelo boat along the Douro to Vila Nova de Gaia (near Porto). With the opening of the station (and the Linha do Douro ) in 1880 , rail transport became faster, more reliable and safer , especially in times of low water or storms. This facilitated the transport not only of wine, but also of agricultural products, people and materials .

Thanks to the beautiful azulejos (tile panels) depicting scenes of wine life, the station itself became a symbol of Douro culture .

Willem Vandenameele