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 Distances between each Tourist Town in Kms.
Distances in Kms.
Transmontana Accommodation
Transmontana Guest & Manor Houses
Transmontana Holiday Apartments
Transmontana Holiday Rentals
Transmontana Hotels
Transmontana Hotels & Spa
Transmontana Inns
Transmontana Pousadas
Transmontana Golf Courses
Golf Courses in Transmontana
Transmontana Guest Book
Transmontana Forum
Transmontana Photos
Transmontana Typical Village
· Transmontana River Douro
· Transmontana River Douro
Introduction to Transmontana
The Transmontana tourist area is basically a region
covering the north-east to the central-east part of Portugal,
and covering areas know as the Trás-os-Montes, Beira
Alta and Beira Baixa. The main towns of this vast
Transmontana area are Bragança,
Castelo Branco, Chaves,
Guarda, Vila Real
and Viseu. Most of these
towns are close to the Portuguese border to Spain and have
been historically much involved in defending the kingdom.
The only other main town in this region is Covilhã
which was a popular settlement for shepherds and was
granted its status as a town in 1166. It later developed
as a centre for the textile industry but in more recent
history was a health resort due to its good air and waters.
Together, they represent most of the mountainous areas of
Portugal to include, Serra de Aço, Serra de Alvão, Serra
de Bornes, Serra da Estrela, Serra da Lapa, Serra do Larouco,
Serra da Leomil, Serra do Mogadouro, Serra de Montezinho,
Serra da Morofa and Serra de Reboredo.
Of all these mountain ranges of the most prominent is the
Serra da Estrela that rises to 1.993 metres (6.539
feet). During the winter the very top area of Serra da
Estrela provides a ski resort but with somewhat limited
runs for any experienced ski enthusiast. The past weather
conditions have not been sufficiently reliable to create a
large resort for this sport. The bare granite of this range
of mountains has virtually insufficient vegetation to
support more than the grazing of sheep. These sheep provide
the most rated cheese of all in Portugal and is known by
the trade name of "Serra". Like most mountain areas
this is a popular location for walkers offering fascinating
flora and panoramic views. The area has also developed a
special breed of dog after which it is named. These dogs
are generally prove to be very intelligent, brave and loyal
to their owners. Their thick heavy coat helps as a natural
protection to survive the regions cold winter climate.
This Transmontana area also abounds in historic castles
which acted from medieval times as a line of defence against
the often invading Spanish and French armies. In many town
visitors can find castles and forts that have for the better
part withstood the results of battles and misfortune. Many
of these monuments are associated with small medieval
villages and even standing alone in the countryside.
Starting from the northern boarder the most interesting
locations are Montalegre, Chaves,
Monforte de Rio Livre, Bragança,
Algoso, Ansiães Numão and Freixo de Espada á Cima.
Moving further south there is Penedono, Marialva,
Castelo Rodrigo, Trancoso, Pihel, Almeida, Celorico da Beira,
Linhares, Belmonte, Sabugal, Sortleha, Penamacor, Monsanto
and Idana-a-Velha. (Visit - Portugal History)
Economically this whole area is generally considered the
poorest in Portugal and it has been a tradition for many
of the younger people of this area to emigrate to other
countries in order to make a sufficiently good living to
be able to send funds back to assist their families. An
exception to this situation can be found on the lower
slopes of mountain ranges, and in the valleys where the
locals reap their living from forms of agriculture. A
particularly richer region is to be found in the middle
River Douro area which has concentrated for some
centuries on the maintaining of vineyards for the
important production of some of Portugal's fine wines and
the even more famous "port wine". Visitors may
visit or join conducted tours of most of these vineyards
and sample their produce. An interesting historical fact
is that in 1756 the foundation of the "Companhia
da Agricultura dos Vinhos do Alto Douro was the first
demarcation of wine areas introduced in the whole world.
An very interesting way to see and feel the true culture
and history of this region is to stay in one of the many
Pousadas, most of
which are heavily steeped in local atmosphere and
with historic architecture of the region.
Transmontana Towns
Bragança
· Castelo Branco
· Chaves
· Guarda
· Vila Real
· Viseu
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