Bolinhol de Vizela: with genesis in 1884, now gastronomic heritage and tourist resource

Abstract

For more than 130 years, Bolinhol has been part of the gastronomic heritage of Vizela, concentrating relevant historical, cultural and economic characteristics that deserve to be protected, preserved, valued and promoted. A unique cake that is a gastronomic asset of the Municipality of Vizela, in the North region of Portugal.

Its genesis dates back to 1884. The history of the cake and its growing prominence can be seen alongside the development of Vizela hot springs and, inherently, of the locality itself. Especially from the beginning of the 20th century, with the completion of important works in the transport and communications network, the English linked to the Port Wine trade, as well as tourists from the North of Portugal and Spain, all with significant economic power, chose Vizela to attend the thermal baths.

For the development of this article, with an essayistic character, therefore descriptive but also reflective, published content on the object of analysis was researched and reviewed, in order to understand the historical path of the cake, what have guaranteed its longevity and what is its relevance in the relationship between tourism supply and demand.

Today, Bolinhol, in addition to being an icon of Vizela's gastronomy and culture, legacy of several generations, is a relevant tourist resource in the local dynamics, both tourist and economic, also a brand and its promotion and commercialization generate positive impacts.