Castelo Branco

Castelo Branco, noted for its hand-embroidered linen bedspreads, is an important road junction and has a flourishing local trade in cork, wine, olive oil, and cheese.

The region of Beira Baixa is not much visited by tourists but it encompasses fine scenery and many attractions. Its capital, Castelo Branco, is a charming little city, especially known for the Jardim Episcopal (Episcopal garden), filled with baroque statues.

To the north lies Monsanto, considered the "most portuguese village". Perched on a hillside, its small typical houses and tiny gardens lie crushed between great granite rocks. In the environs of Penamacor, with its 12th century castle, the natural reserve of Serra da Malcata is one of the last places where the extremely rare Iberian lynx can still be found.

To the northeast of Belmonte, with its castle begun in 1266, you can see a curious roman tower, the Centum Cella, or Torre de Colmeal. This entire region is dominated by the closeness of the Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain of Portugal, mostly rising above 1500 meters (5000 feet).

Covilhã is the largest town in this area and it is known for its textiles, woven from locally produced wool. From there you can drive to the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela. In Summer walkers can enjoy the long distance walks, varied flora and stunning views. The Winter snows attract skiers.
The most famous product of this zone is queijo da Serra, a rich flavoured cheese still made by hand.

Serra da Estrela
Serra da Estrela is the big tourist attraction of this region, not only because it is a sort of a mini skiing winter resort, but also because of the lovely beauty of its Natural Park, its historic villages and the 20 Castles and Fortresses route.

Santa Cruz Chapel (Covilhã)
The Infant D. Henrique founded the Santa Cruz Chapel on the 15th century. A century later, it was restored by the Infant D. Luis, that gave her a custodial in golden silver. This Gothic style chapel has its roof filled with valuable 20th century paintings, where Jesus Christ’s life can be seen.

Nossa Senhora da Conceição Church (Covilhã)
This monument remounts to the 16th century and presents Gothic, Baroque and Revivalist influences. The façade is distinguished by a typically Gothic portal and on the inside the highlights are the choir in squared stone and the tumbler chapels from the 16th century, that belong to the Rodrigo de Castro family.

Bishop’s Palace Garden (Castelo Branco)
The garden right beside the old Bishop’s Palace was built in 1725 by the Guarda’s Bishop, D. João de Mendonça. Several lakes, waterfalls, statues, fountains and staircases are brought into harmony with the elaborated garden in a truly wonderful result.
Entirely filled with places of an extreme beauty, its highlights are the Jardim Alagado (Flooded Garden) or the flourish tank, with undulating turns and a middle fountain made of squared stone and with three dolphins.
On the Kings Stairs the visitor can see statues of all the Portuguese monarchs. All around the garden you can find all kinds of statues, representing the Zodiac Signs, the five parts of the World, the four seasons of the year, the Evangelists, the Church Doctors, the Apostles, among many other.

Nossa Senhora de Mércoles Chapel (Castelo Branco)
The construction of this chapel remains unknown. People think that, according to tradition, the friars of the Temple Order have made the edification. The interior walls are covered with tiles since 1609.
Another curiosity is the fact of the church floor being lower than the outside floor, justifying the existence of five steps on the entrance.

Marquês da Graciosa Solar (Idanha-a-Nova)
This solar reflects the main characteristics of wealthy family’s manor houses, usually composed by two floors. This kind of house normally has a garden, a chapel, horse-stables, wine cellar, employee’s accommodation, chicken-house, and pigsties and is usually surrounded by huge walls.

Raianos Castles (Idanha-a-Nova)
You can find this sort of castles a little bit around all council, usually built under king’s will or cavalry orders. Each stone and each corner has a story to tell, whether about fighting for the motherland, whether about the devotion to God.
The castles of Monsanto, Penha Garcia, Salvaterra do Extremo, Segura, Idanha-a-Nova and Rosmaninhal are some examples of these history fractions.