evidence: Founded in 1272, Vila Real (which means ‘royal town’) is a thriving agricultural centre ideally situated on an upland plateau ringed with mountains. [...] Over the centuries, Vila Real’s strategic location at the juncture of the Douro Valley and Trás-os-Montes provinces in the heart of northern Portugal has helped it to play an important role in the economy of the region. For example, in 1895 it became the first town in Portugal to install electricity. [...] The Solar de Mateus, situated just 3 kilometres from Vila Real, is one of the best-known country manor houses in northern Portugal. Built in the 18th century and belonging to the Count of Vila Real, the house features on the label of every bottle of Mateus Rosé wine.