Lousada Located in the fecund valley of the Sousa River, Lousada is an essentially rustic municipality, although the textile industry also is important part of the economy of the region.
Several property and family houses of centuries XVII and XVIII reflect the old time of prosperity of the rural aristocracy; the place also is proud of monuments and historical sites of a remote past, like the preRoman payment of Cristelos, Castro de São Domingos, with archaeological ruins of céltico origin, probably of century IV A.C.
Another historical attraction is the two Tower Mouros, in Vilar do Torno and Alentém, a medieval construction, fine example of the románica military architecture of centuries XIII and XIV.
The religious patrimony of Lousada offers several interesting temples: the Church of Meinedo, in style Romanesque of century XIII, with a rectangular body and an attached bell tower, in addition to rich a baroque altarpiece in maderamem gilded in the greater altar, or the First Church of Aveleda, of bearing also Romanesque, that shows a delicate vestibule carved with ornamented pillars; the Church of Pias, of he himself period, has another peculiar bell tower, separated of the temple.
Also, it is worth the trouble to admire picota of century XVII, in the seat of the county, and the románicos bridges of Vilela (in the parish of Aveleda, with four arcs) and of Meinedo, happening both over the Sousa River.
The gastronomy of Lousada offers specialties as the roasted cabrito rice or rojões (meat of pig cooked in wine, with garlic and I comine) and several typical candies with peculiar and attractive names, like the beijinhos (little kisses) and the bolinhos do love (galletitas of love).
The local crafts include pretty linen works and embroiderings.