Maria da Fonte Interpretive Center sees tripled visitor numbers

The Maria da Fonte Interpretive Center in Póvoa de Lanhoso recorded more than 1,300 visitors during the first six months of the year, more than tripling the attendance from the same period last year.

This growth coincides with the 180th anniversary of the Maria da Fonte Revolt. The municipality has supported this increase through various cultural initiatives, including the XXX Open Exhibition of Plastic Arts, the second edition of the Festival Instrumental Portugal, and a historical parade featuring over 1,000 participants.

The center has implemented new strategies to enhance the visitor experience, such as guided tours led by municipal historians and the renovation of interactive panels. The facility is located in the heart of the town, at the site of a mid-19th-century inn once belonging to Maria Luísa Balaio, who is identified by researchers as a possible figure associated with the revolt.