Algarve participates in the Seven Wonders of Portugal

Fotografia - Postal

The 49 pre-finalist villages have been chosen in the contest 7 Wonders of Portugal-Villages.

The Central region has the most candidates (14), followed by Alentejo / Ribatejo, with nine, and the North, with eight. The Azores and Algarve compete with six villages each, while Madeira has four and Lisbon and Tagus Valley two.

In the first phase of the contest, 332 villages competed, which represented 446 applications for the seven categories: Authentic, in Protected Areas, Sea, Monument, River zones, Rural and Remote. There were villages that competed in more than one category.

"Amongst the 49 pre-finalists, the most emblematic Portuguese villages are contemplated. There is a balance of the geographical distribution of the pre-finalists, who occupy the entire national territory, "said Luís Segadães, president of the 7 Wonders.

The pre-finalist villages, chosen by a panel of experts, represent 41 counties throughout the country, and eight municipalities have two villages in the list: Bragança, Melgaço, São Pedro do Sul, Idanha-a-Nova, Sintra, Odemira , Porto Moniz (Madeira) and Calheta (Azores).

Amongst the chosen in the Algarve are in the region of Alcoutim and Paderne.

Voting begins in July. The Portuguese will be able to elect two finalists, who pass to the final vote.

The 7 winners will be announced on September 3.