Festival Contrasta is one of the most recent Northern events of the festival calendar. The name of the festival comes from the first name given to Valença, where it takes place. However, the name also comes from the variety of musical genres that the organisation intends to bring to the Minho city.
Wrapped by the Cortinas de São Francisco, in the Fortress of Valença (Fortaleza de Valença), the common denominator in all the artists who have trodden and will trod the stage of Contrasta is their artistic quality. The great focus has been on national artists, but also with interesting international names to the mix.
It was in the first edition of this festival, in 2022, that the last concert in Portugal of the famous Brazilian singer Gal Costa took place, four months before her death.
To be announced...
Planted on the banks of the Minho river, Valença's landscape is marked by its Fortress, one of the main military fortifications in Europe. Its proximity to Spain has made the city a symbol of the cross-border relations between the two Iberian countries.
The beautiful natural landscapes that surround the municipality have made nature tourism one of the great visitation points and attractions of Valença.
√ Explore the heritage riches of the Fortress of Valença (Fortaleza de Valença), where the festival takes place
√ Take your bike and ride the Minho River Rail Trail to Vila Nova da Cerveira or Monção
√ Ride through the Nossa Senhora da Cabeça Natural Park (Parque Natural de Nossa Senhora da Cabeça)
√ Enjoy the beautiful views of the region at the various viewpoints scattered throughout the county (Chapels of St. Anne (Sant'ana) [or Monte do Faro], St. Auditus (Santo Ovídeo), St. Lawrence (São Lourenço), St. Sebastian (São Sebastião), Taião, Castelo da Furna and Socorro)
√ Cross the International Centenary Bridge to the Spanish town of Tui
√ Visit one of the most important reserves of avifauna and flora of the Minho river basin at the Veiga do Mira Biotype, where migratory birds take refuge
