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 Christs 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.
Bishops Palace Garden (Castelo Branco): the garden right beside the old Bishops Palace was built in 1725 by the Guardas 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. |