Vila Real (population 17,500) is located on a plateau above the headland formed by the gorges of the rivers Corgo and Cabril. This is where the oldest part of the town is located, framed by the slopes of the Corgo gorge.

The area has been inhabited since the Palaeolithic period. The rock sanctuary of Panóias bears witness to the presence of the Romans. However, during the migration period and the Muslim invasion, the area gradually became depopulated.

At the end of the 11th century the colonisation of the region was encouraged. It was not until 1289 that a charter from King D. Dinis founded the royal town of Panóias, which became the current town.

The Cathedral of Vila Real (aka Igreja de São Domingos) is the seat of the Diocese of Vila Real.

The Cathedral originated in a Dominican convent founded in the 15th century in the area outside the walls of Vila Real. King John I donated land for the convent in 1421 and construction began in 1424. The construction of the convent was also sponsored by the Marquises of Vila Real , whose residence was located nearby.

The church was renovated in the 16th century and, especially, in the 18th century, when the current chancel and the baroque bell tower were built.

In 1834, with the extinction of the religious orders, the church became the headquarters of the parish of São Dinis and the convent was reused as barracks. In 1837 a fire destroyed the interior of the convent and part of the church's contents. In 1922, Pope Pius XI created the diocese of Vila Real , and the old church was consecrated as a Cathedral.