Located northeast of Serra da Estrela mountain at an altitude of 1075 m, Guarda is the highest city in Portugal, and one of the highest in Europe. It was inhabited early in prehistoric times and it has always played an important defensive role.
Guarda was a military base for Julius Caesar, then for the Visigoths, and finally for the Moors. The city walls were erected in the 12th century by King Sancho I, and some of the fortifications still remain today, namely three original gates.
Because of its geographic situation Guarda is the coldest town in the country, as is testified by poet Augusto Gil, born in Guarda, when describing the falling of snow in his poem "Luar de Janeiro".
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Guarda - Sé |
Guarda - Praça Velha |
The most imposing monument in Guarda is the Gothic Cathedral which dominates the central square. It is made of granite, and was built between the 14th and 16th centuries, with elements in Gothic, Renaissance, and Manueline style. The interior is graceful, with a remarkable vault and twisted pillars. In the choir the Renaissance altar is a masterpiece of carved marble.
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Close by is the Misericordia Church, with an ornemental portal and altars in Baroque style, and north of the cathedral stands São Vicente church, which has 16 fine azulejos pictures telling the life of Christ.
The main square, Praça Velha, is lined with groundfloor arches characteristicof the area, supported by robust granite pillars.
The Municipal Museum is installed in the former Bishop's Palace, it displays paintings, and items from the archeological finds.
The old Jewish district, Judiaria, has kept its medieval charm. One house in particular is worth noticing in the narrow alleys, because it belonged to shoemaker Barbadão, whose beautiful daughter Inês had won the heart of King João I and gave birth to an illegitimate son, Afonso, who was later granted the title of Duke of Bragança. Many years later the descendants of this union did reign over the country. Local folklore tells us that the father of Inês was nicknamed Barbadão (literally "heavily bearded") because he had stopped shaving when learning of his daughter's illicit union with the king.
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Guarda is surrounded with medieval strongholds and citadels scattered along the border, for example, Almeida, Belmonte, Castelo Mendo, Idanha, Linhares, Marialva, Monsanto, Pinhel, Penedono, Trancoso, Sabugal, Sortelha...
One of these jewels, Celorico da Beira, with its impressive castle and solitary standing stone, is the capital of the famous cheese Queijo da Serra; a market is held there from december to may dedicated to this winter product.
The most beautiful of all these villages is perhaps Linhares with its old granite buildings and arcades. Its parochial church has some paintings by Grão Vasco, and from a more modern point of view, Linhares is a renowned base for parasailing, with a well equipped school and annual international championships.
