Tips 1 - 7 of 7 Serra da Estrela Off The Beaten Path
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Off The Beaten Path: Figure carved on the stone
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As we were driving up to Torre on a small viewpoint we came across this nice sculpture carved on the mountain's rock. It represents a female figure, probably Our Lady. Curiously, the figure is standing by a sheppard and a sheep – sheep and wool are a tradition for centuries on this side of the mountain. There are some stairs so that visitors are able to reach the sculpture. All around on the ground there were flowers, probably left be devote visitors.
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Off The Beaten Path: Other routes
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Serra da Estrela is not only mountain and natural landscapes. It has a lot more to do while you are visiting. Some “routes” are identified and recommend, and they suit every taste:
. Historical villages (9 villages)
. Castles (20 castles)
. Old Jewish Villages (10 villages)
. Portuguese Discoveries
. Wool
From the above mentioned, I visited some villages, castles and the Wool Fabrics Museum in Covilhã, the only one in Portugal.
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Off The Beaten Path: Historical Villages - Castelo Novo
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Castelo Novo was one of the villages we visited on our way to Covilhã. It is a small village, one of the historical villages I described previously. We went up to the castle's ruins and from there we enjoyed a nice view over the village's narrow streets and houses made of stone. From up there we also enjoyed a fantastic view over the surrounding landscapes and mountain on the beautiful light of the end of the day. I will add more information about this village on my Covilhã page.
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Off The Beaten Path: Historical Villages – Sortelha
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Sortelha is in a better condition than Castelo Novo. It has been completely refurbished and all stone houses look wonderful with their wooden doors and windows. But too perfect, and so many of them seem to be empty, … Going up the castle and the castle’s walls provides a fabulous view over the surrounding mountains and valleys – just breathtaking! I will add more information about Sortelha in my Belmonte page.
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Off The Beaten Path: Castles – Belmonte
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Belmonte is beautiful village, with nice architecture, beautiful surroundings and flowered streets. Locals are also very nice and welcoming. And we ate a fabulous lunch there with a tasty typical dessert. The castle lies on top of the village and it used to belong to the Cabral family – Pedro Alvares Cabral is a famous Portuguese who discovered the sea route to Brazil in 1500. I will soon add more information about Belmonte on the Belmonte page. Belmonte is also on the Old Jewish Villages route and Portuguese Discoveries route.
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Off The Beaten Path: Castles – Castelo Novo and Sortelha
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Apart from being Historical Villages, both Castelo Novo and Sortelha are also on the Castle’s route. In Castelo Novo the Castle is in ruins and only some little bits of walls are left. But still, you may go up there. In Sortelha the castle and walls are very well kept and you may go up there and walk around the walls.
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Off The Beaten Path: Old Jewish Villages - Covilhã e Belmonte.
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As I mentioned previously, Belmonte apart from being in the Castle’s route is also on the Old Jewish Villages route. There is a still and old Jewish neighbourhood on the village and a synagogue. Although you may walk through the neighbourhood, visiting the synagogue is not possible, at least so we were told at the Tourism Office. Covilhã has also 3 neighbourhoods whose routes go back to Jewish communities.
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More Serra da Estrela Tips
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 Comments for micas_pt about Serra da Estrela | | | | |
wandeljp Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:55 UTC
Happy birthday full of dreams travels! I like your Serra Estrela page, because We were there a 10 years ago and have good time.People are so friendly in Portigal! Obrigate for this.I hope another time go to .Best regards from Belgium, Jean-Pierre . | shivan Thu Sep 23, 2004 16:25 UTC
great landscapes here. I have to come to portugal one day | mcb Mon Aug 30, 2004 23:37 UTC
I LOVE Sortelha i used to go there for dinner a lot when i was living in Covilhã | ncfg Thu Jul 1, 2004 19:18 UTC
Great shoots you did Alexandra, even without snow. I love the Covão de Ferro pic. :-) |
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on Feb 18, 2004
