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Guarda - History
Granted its Charter in 1197 by Dom Sancho 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 João I, first visited the town he
fell in love with an attractive daughter of a Jewish shoemaker. Her
name was Inês Fernandes and from their union was born a son
Afonso who was later to be given the title of the Duque
de Bragança. 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. (Visit - Portugal History)
Guarda - Description
Probably by the fact that Guarda is the highest town in
Portugal at 1.056 metres and is influenced by its historic
background with 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
Sé, 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 Praça Velha, the
Rua dos Cléricos 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 Óbidos,
Leiria, Abrantes and Porto de Mós. A shoemaker by the
name of Gonçalo 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 Álvares 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 Covilhã 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 Photos
Castle
· Castle
· Castle Walls
· Old House
· Fortified Village
· Church
· Village Street
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Guarda Events |
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| Festival de Abril |
April |
| Town Holiday |
27th November
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Transmontana Towns
Bragança
· Castelo Branco
· Chaves
· Viseu
· Vila Real
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Useful Guarda Telephone Numbers
6300