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Guarda History
Dom Sancho granted in 1197 its charter of Guarda, this town acted as a strong fortified
border town to protect the Portuguese from the successive invading incursions of
the Spanish forces. It is written that when the King, Dom Jo�o I, first visited
the town he fell in love with an attractive daughter of a Jewish shoemaker. Her
name was In�s Fernandes and from their union was born a son Afonso who was later
to be given the title of the Duque de Bragan�a. It was through this son that 200
years later his descendants acquired the throne of Portugal. In the Peninsular
War the town of Guarda was sacked by the French invading army and then used
later as an important base for the defending forces under the leadership of the
Duke of Wellington.
Guarda Description
Eventually because Guarda is the highest town in Portugal at 1.056 metres
and is influenced by its historic background, the architecture of its
buildings presenting a sober and rather heavy visual appearance. In the 1850�s
it was nicknamed the city of �4 Fs� � "Fria, Farta, Forte e Feia" (cold,
well-supplied, strong and ugly). The main church, the S�, was begun in 1390 and
completed as a building in 1540. The stern outward appearance belies the airy
and graceful interior. The altarpiece was created in 1552 by Jean de Rouen and
consists of 100 carefully carved figures. The nearby Municipal Museum exhibits a
collection of paintings and local archaeological finds together with works
relating to the town's famous poet Augusto Gil. The main square named Pra�a
Velha, the Rua dos Cl�ricos and the Judiaria are all worth a visit as many of
the buildings date from the 14th Century. The total number of inhabitants is
approximately 26.000.
Guarda Nearby Locations
The area around Guarda is dotted with the remains of castles that were part of
the defence system of the kingdom. Three nearby smaller towns are Trancoso,
Almeida and Castelo Rodrigo that once were fortified villages that have since
lost their most of their defending walls and castles. The later town was the
location of the very important "Treaty of Alcanices" in 1297 between Portugal
and Spain. The castle of Trancoso was chosen in 1282 as the location in which
King Dinis solemnised his marriage to the 12 year old Princess Isabel of Aragon.
The King gave the town to his new Queen as a wedding gift and as his love for
her grew he followed later by gifting the towns of �bidos, Leiria, Abrantes and
Porto de M�s. A shoemaker by the name of Gon�alo Anes, and poet from this remote
town, arriving in Lisbon in the 15th Century and caused many problems bringing
him to the attention of the Inquisition with his accurate foretelling of events
which meanwhile had gained him general fame.
Further to the north is the town of Marialva. Its recorded history appears in
Latin in 179 in the time of Emperor Adriano but it's existence was almost
certainly long before this date. Located at 613 metres above sea level this
rocky location and granite houses offers little comfort. Not much remained of
its fortifications when in 1286 King Dinis decided to grant the town to hold
Fairs. In 1515 King Manuel gave the orders to refortification which was
completed by 1559. However, in the 18th Century the town fortifications was
again virtually destroyed due to the effect of war. Regardless, it has still
left us with a very medieval picture of what may have existed in those times
without the encumbrance of modern man.
The town of Almeida to the northeast of Guarda is surrounded in a well preserved
12 star-shaped fortified walls built in the 17th Century and designed by Antoine
Deville. To enter the present town it still may be approached over a narrow
ancient bridge and then through a tunnel in the ramparts. Also, to the northeast
of Guarda is the town of Pinhel that originally acted as the control point in
the 13th Century to a series of defending rural fortresses built by King Dinis
to protect his kingdom from the constant threat of invasion from Spain.
Close to Guarda on the northwest is the town of Celorico da Beira with its ruins
of a 10th Century castle and its fame for being a centre for the famous Serra
made from the milk of ewes. Also to the north, is the ancient triple walled site
of Castro do Tintinolho with the first two walls from a pre-Roman period.
The village of Castelo Mendo lies directly to the east of Guarda. At 760 metres
above sea level it still presents the stark reality of what medieval living was
all about. On the southeast side of Guarda the rugged granite fortified village
of Sortelha that seems to show little architectural change from it�s mediaeval
past.
The town of Belmonte which received its Charter in 1199 is directly to the south
of Guarda and is well known in the history of Portugal as the home of the famous
explorer family of Cabral. Amongst their many historic feats, Pedro �lvares
Cabral was the first navigator to land in Brazil in 1500. The town is also
connected with the Jewish settlement in Portugal as in 1296 it is recorded that
a Synagogue was inaugurated. Just south again the walled village of Sortelha and
is another fine example of medieval Portugal.
To the west of Guarda is the range of mountains known as Serra da Estrela. The
highest point is 1.9393 metres but most of area is in the region of 1.500 metres
above sea level The area known as Torre is in winter a limited ski resort whilst
the road from here southwards takes the visitor down to Covilh� which is known
for fine textiles produced from local wool. The whole region is made up of large
rugged terrain and it is from here that the famous distinctive cheese �Serra� is
made from the milk of ewes. The local farmers have bred a special race of
sheepdog named after the area that is known for its hardy and protective
qualities. Within the Serra da Estrela there are a number of small villages or
towns reflecting the hard and rugged lifestyle of the inhabitants. None more so
than Linhares, protectively guarded by towers and a medieval castle and within
it a Roman Forum from which in olden time's local justice was handed out. To the
south west tip of the Serra da Estrela is the village of Loriga in which the
famous rebel leader Viriato (180 BC - 139 BC), is reputed to have originated. He
led a large force of Lusitanians that took on the might of the Roman Empire in
the southern Iberian Peninsular. Their successful campaign was brought to a halt
when Viriato's closest followers murdered him for a handsome Roman reward.
Also to the northwest and lying about halfway between Guarda and Vila Real is
the small town of Penedono, with its small but impressive castle that records
show existed since before 960 AD.
Guarda Map (Click Here)
Guarda Weather
     
Guarda Golf
Montebelo �
Vidago
Guarda Information
 271 220
220 - Town Hall
808 208 208 - Railways (CP)
800 296 296 - Support to Tourists
112 - SOS
Guarda Locations of Interest
Teatro Municipal
Museum of Guarda
Archaeological Site - (P�voa do Mileu)
Castle of Guarda
Cathedral - S� da Guarda
Chapel - Capela de Nossa Senhora do Milreu
Chapel - Capela de Santa Cruz do Calv�rio
Chapel - Capela de S�o Martinho
Church - Igreja de S�o Vicente
Church - Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Rem�dios
Convento de S�o Francisco
Home - Casa Alarc�o
Home - Casa de Pedro �lvares Cabral
Home - Casa da Varanda
Home - Solar de Alarc�o
Pal�cio Saraiva de Ref�is
Rua dos Cl�ricos
Square - Pra�a Velha
Tower - Torre dos Ferreiros
Tower - Torre de Menagem
Agricultural Museum - (Celorico da Beira)
Municipal Museum - (Oliveira do Hospital)
Municipal Museum - (Pinhel)
Museum of Archaeological - (Gouveia)
Museum of Archaeological - (Vale de G�a)
Museum of Bread - (Seia)
Museum of Casa Grande - (Vila Nova de Foz C�a)
Museum of Cheese Serra da Estrela - (Celorico da Beira)
Museum of Cheese Solar de Queijo - (Celorico da Beira)
Museum da Ervamoira - (Vale do C�a)
Museum and Home of Lagar do Azeite - (Celorico da Beira)
Museum of Jewish History of Belmonte - (Belmonte)
Museum of Modern Art de Abel Manta - (Gouveia)
Museum of Sacadura Cabral - (Celorico da Beira)
Museum of Sacred Art - (Gouveia)
Museum of Solar de Queijo - (Celorico da Beira)
Museum of Toys - (Seia)
Museum of Wine of "Adega Coop, da Covilh�" - (Covilh�)
Museum of Wollen Goods - (Covilh�)
Archaeological Site - (Castro do Tintinolho)
Archaeological Site - (Vale do C�a)
Archaeological Sites - (Vimioso)
Castle - (Belmonte)
Castle - (Belver)
Castle - (Celorico da Beira)
Castle - (Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo)
Castle - (Linhares da Beira)
Castle - (Marialva)
Castle - (Monsanto)
Castle - (Num�o)
Castle - (Penamacor)
Castle - (Penedono)
Castle - (Pinhel)
Castle - (Sabugal)
Castle - (Sortelha)
Castle - (Trancoso)
Castle - (Vilar Maior)
Castle - (Vinhais)
Castle and Fort - (Almeida)
Chapel - Capela de Nossa Senhora do Milreu -(Belmonte)
Chapel - Capela of Calv�rio - (Belmonte)
Chapel - Capela of Santo Ant�nio - (Belmonte)
Chapel - Capela of Ferreiros - (Oliveira do Hospital)
Church - (Linhares da Beira)
Church - (Lourosa)
Church - (Valhelhas)
Church - Igreja da Miseric�rdia (Trancosa)
Church - Igreja Nossa Senhora de Santa Luzia (Trancosa)
Colmeal da Torre - (Belmonte)
Convento Sta. Maria de Aguiar - (Figueira Castelo Rodrigo)
Cottage Cheese Factories - (Arcozelo)
Forte - (Almeida)
Home - Casa do Governador - (Sortelha)
Home - Casa do Judeu - (Linhares da Beira)
Home - Casa da Torre - (Gouveia)
Home - Casa Judaica - (Trancoso)
Menhir Sites - (Rochoso)
Menhir Sites - (Sobreda)
Menhir Sites - (Celorico da Beira)
Menhir Sites - (Fornos de Algodres)
Menhir Sites - (Gouveia)
Pal�cio Cristov�o de Moura - (Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo)
Roman Site - (Bobadela)
Roman Site - (Cidadelhe)
Roman Site - (Colmeal da Torre)
Roman Site - (Matan�a)
Roman Site - Bobadela (Oliveira de Hospital )
Roman Temple - (Fiqueira de Castelo Rodrigo)
S�tio da Torre - (Serra da Estrela)
Town - (Almeida)
Village - (Castelo Mendo)
Village - (Celorico da Beira)
Village - (Figueira de Castelo Rodrigo)
Village - (Folgosinho)
Village - (Fornos de Algodres)
Village - (Linhares de Beira)
Village - (Manteigas)
Village - (Marialva)
Village - (Pinhel)
Village - (Sortelha)
Village - (Trancoso)
Ski Resort of Torre - (Serra da Estrela)
Thermal Spa - (Manteigas)
Zoo Park of Qta. da Borrachota - (Gouveia)
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Portugal Golf
