Guarda is a somewhat remote town in Portugal but is in fact it’s highest. Located northeast of the Serra da Estrela which is the largest mountain in mainland Portugal, it sits at 1 056 meters. Because of this, it has been a site of many of the regions territorial battles since pre-Roman times.
Guarda Cathedral - Guarda, photo by Sebastião da Fonseca
Founded in 1199 by king Sancho I, at which time a castle and town walls were built, the town of Guarda was duly strengthened by every king that succeeded him and thus was able to withstand many of the Spanish invasions that characterised it in the following centuries. Set upon a mountainous backdrop, its fortified 13th- 15th century buildings are a sight that almost transports visitors back to the time of the invasions.
It has a rich royal history as kings through the centuries would go there to find solace, perhaps to hide from enemies or even for the weather; something that king Fernando did in a bid to dispel the lung disease that had riddled his body.
For visitors of today, there remains some stunning ruins, particularly the Tower of Ferreiros and the Gates of Erva. The town square, Praça Velha, is beautiful and its cathedral, known as Sé da Guarda is arguably its main attraction. Its impressiveness is perhaps due to the fact that in the 16th century Bishop Nuno de Noronha spent much time and money attempting to improve the religious reputation and look of Guarda, as previously it had been distinctly secular and often forgotten over the years and a lot of this attention was given to the cathedral.
It was in the 19th century that Guarda would go through its biggest transformation as it was thrust into the position of being capital of the region after much of its surroundings were destroyed during the peninsular wars against Napoleon's armies. Because of this, modernisation projects were carried out, as were improvements to communications. Despite this, and because of its location, the town of Guarda has never quite caught up with much of the rest of the country and hence is an almost mystical place to visit.
More information: visitportugal.com
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