About Valença

Valença is a municipality in the Viana do Castelo District in northwestern Portugal. The population in 2011 was 24,703, in an area of 175.06 km². It is the seat of the Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo municipality. The town of Valença sits on the Portuguese/Spanish border, opposite the Spanish town of Tui. The two towns are connected by the International Bridge of Friendship. Valença is known for its fortifications, which were constructed in the 18th century. The Fort of São Francisco da Barra, located in the town, was used in the Peninsular War. Valença is served by a railway station on the Douro line, which connects the city of Porto with Spain. The municipality is crossed by the Rio Minho, which forms the border with Spain.