One cause why vacationers love to go to Portugal is as a result of it permits them to be transported again in time and historical past to when medieval knights roamed the lands and castles had been at all times on guard in opposition to marauders.
Wandering the realm across the Serra da Estrela is an ideal place for vacationers to go to and join with the legendary historical past of the Portuguese Republic.
Serra da Estrela
The Serra da Estrela area of Portgual is positioned a few three-hour drive southeast of Porto or about 4 hours northwest of the capital metropolis of Lisbon.
It’s a scenic, but curvy highway, on highways that may lead guests to a mountain escape.
Vacationers ought to plan for not less than a two-day getaway to really join with most of the native historic and pure highlights of the mountain vary.
Listed here are a few locations vacationers ought to wander to return in time on the Serra da Estrela.
Castelo Rodrigo
At an altitude of greater than 2200 toes within the mountain vary lies Castelo Rodrigo. The ruins of Cristóvão de Moura Palace are a primary attraction within the space.
Each spring and summer season weekend, the palace and surrounding websites come alive with historic characters from Cooperativa Artística da Raia Beirã who clarify the historical past and assist guests join again in time.
Guests must also not miss the Church of Our Woman of Rocamador and study in regards to the unusual legend of Marofa.
Cidadelhe
Cidadelhe is a UNESCO World Heritage Website nestled in a small village with solely about 30 residents. Nevertheless, it’s these 30 folks that really maintain the important thing to unlock a lot of the hidden historical past within the space.
The Palio de Cidadelhe was one in every of these mysterious hidden websites that was solely identified by the locals. Nevertheless, right now it’s fortunately simple to search out and connects guests with the necessary historical past and tradition of the realm.
However, there are some historic cave work that may solely be discovered by means of help by a information. You could need to join with the native city council in case you are occupied with visiting this hidden doorway to the previous.
Marialva
Marialva is one other a kind of historic villages in Serra da Estrela that are free for vacationers to go to and hook up with historical past.
Wandering previous the citadel partitions and coming into the previous city by means of the Porta do Anjo da Guarda will make guests really feel like they had been one of many vacationers on an early pilgrimage to the positioning.
Vacationers can wander the seventeenth century metropolis and discover the city corridor and jail on strategy to the city’s legendary Church of Santiago. Remember to additionally not miss the Torre de Menagem and the Capela da Misericórdia, two true treasures of this city’s historic previous.
Trancoso
The village of Trancoso and its fort will make vacationers really feel like they’re again within the days of the thirteenth century when knights and kings roamed the land.
Departing the fort, Trancoso is a spot filled with historical past. Guests will discover Poço do Mestre, Casas do Gato Preto, dos Arcos and Quartel-Common Beresford, the Church of São Pedro and the Pillory as simply a few locations to stroll round and really feel the connection to the heritage of Portugal.
These with Jewish roots may even uncover traces to their faith and traditions throughout city. Estimates are that greater than 200 of those connections exist throughout the village.
What Vacationers Must Know
For many guests to Portugal, Porto and Lisbon are on their trip getaway brief checklist. Whereas filled with Portuguese historical past on their very own, there’s a lot extra to see simply by exploring the mountains and venturing away from metropolis.
In your subsequent journey, take into account getting away from the crowds and as a substitute wander the historic websites of the Serra da Estrela. You’ll positively really feel such as you had been transported again in line.
