As águas Frize: uma componente para a revitalização e desenvolvimento sustentável de Vila Flor

Abstract

Located in the Douro schistgrauvach complex, Águas de Bem Saúde/Frize emerge along the Manteigas-Vilariça-Bragança tectonic fault in the Vilariça Valley, in Sampaio, Vila Flor, in the Douro Demarcated Region. They have a long history. They were discovered by the Romans, but were later forgotten for centuries for religious and political reasons. Rediscovered by the Jewish Bem Saúde family in the 19th century, these waters remained under a family structure until 1993, interspersing, however, golden periods with others of decline, due to a lack of financial and technological renewal. Acquired in 1994 by a group of entrepreneurs, today they belong to the company Sumol-Compal, which capitalized on them and carried out a complete technological renovation, combined with a strong marketing and which allowed the company to respond to the demands of market growth. It is a large factory that has boosted the economy of the municipality of Vila Flor, and is seen as a job opportunity for those who live in the municipality