Description Guarda

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Guarda is a Portuguese city with 26 565 inhabitants, inserted in the same municipality with 712.11 km² of area and 42 541 inhabitants (CENSOS 2011). The municipality is limited to the northeast by the municipality of Pinhel, to the east by Almeida, to the southeast by Sabugal, to the south by Belmonte and Covilhã, to the west by Manteigas and Gouveia and to the northwest by Celorico da Beira. It is also the capital of the District of Guarda which has a resident population of 173 831 inhabitants. Located in the last northeast foothill of Serra da Estrela, at 1056 meters of altitude, being the highest city in Portugal. It is located in the central region of Portugal and belongs to the statistical sub-region of Beira Interior Norte.

Guarda is the highest city in Portugal. Its towering situation justifies the designation of “escudo da Estrela”. Here, you can breathe clean, light and healthy air. The climate is mountainous and the fertility of the valleys guarantees divine flavors.

Heir to a rich and unique cultural heritage, Guarda has more than 800 years of history in its walls. At the highest point of the city stands the Torre de Menagem, the highest symbol of the entire defensive structure, and a sign of the pride of these people who, over the centuries, defended the border. A visit to this space will help to understand the importance that the Guard had in consolidating the borders of the current Portuguese territory.

The transfer of the Episcopal seat of Egitânea (Idanha-a-Nova) to Guarda proved to be an important moment in the city's history. The construction of a Cathedral worthy of its importance was essential. The Temple is Gothic with aesthetic features that are linked to the times and artists who participated in the construction. The plan is that of the Gothic cathedrals, where the altarpiece of the chancel stands out, in stone of ançã, attributed to João Ruão.

Outside, the Cathedral displays magnificent works in granite, where the pinnacles and gargoyles stand out.

More than eight centuries of history end a cultural and religious duality between Catholics and Jews, leaving the city with a valuable heritage. Hidden in the narrow streets of the city, there are unique details of civil and military architecture and also marks of a heritage for, many strangers, that deserve a close look.

Forte and Farta as the city is characterized by the gastronomy of our municipality.

In addition to the history of the city with more than eight centuries, the beautiful cultural and natural heritage, the municipality has to offer immense hospitality and a rich and varied cuisine based on the good tradition of Beira.

Most traditional dishes are made with agricultural products created in the fertile valleys that surround the city. Today, art, ingenuity and the knowledge of other times are joined by new techniques and flavors.

The broth of grain, the chestnut soup, the trout, the cod à Conde da Guarda, the cod roasted in the lagareiro, well washed with new oil; the puddings, the cracklings, the tripe with greens and kid roasted in a wood oven. Cherries, apples, and peaches, still produced today in the valleys and of unparalleled flavor. To finish your meal, be sure to try the delicious desserts: rice pudding, cream milk, paparote, sonses, cottage cheese with pumpkin jam and the famous and delicious mountain cheese.