Hello everyone and welcome to my blog :-)
Today I come to talk about another wonderful city in my country! Castelo Branco is a city in Beira Baixa (central part of the country), bordered by neighboring Spain (Cáceres).
Immersed between the winding curves of the mountains and the broad horizons of the Beira plains, it is a city that reveals itself as a treasure of history and culture. Here, each street is a chapter, and each building, a richly written page.
We start at the Templar Castle where I encounter an experience that transcends time. Despite the marks of the past, where the Palace of Mayors and the first defensive belt of the Templar fortress reveal only traces of the splendor they once witnessed, the majestic aura persists.
At the top of Colina da Cardosa, built between 1214 and 1230, this castle, crowned with the heritage of the Templars, stands out as a guardian of the past. The village, which gracefully forms itself on the hillside, is a witness to the legacy that has unfolded over the centuries.
As I walk with curious steps along the imposing walls that embrace this place, I am presented with a 360-degree visual spectacle of the city's enchanting Historic District.
The Miradouro de São Gens reveals itself as an oasis, providing not only a peaceful refuge, but also a platform to enjoy truly magnificent views. In a visual spectacle that presents itself before me, I glimpse the Marateca Dam, the picturesque undulations of the Serra da Gardunha and, in the distance, the majestic Serra da Estrela.
Castelo Branco has several chapels spread across the city, each of which has its own story. We passed by the Chapel of Senhora da Piedade dedicated to Saint Gregory and built by the order of Christ.
The Espírito Santo chapel is a temple of the Order of Christ, but the original only has the Romanesque arch.
The Church of São Miguel or the Cathedral of Castelo Branco was classified in 2021 as a National Monument. This church is the result of the reconstruction of a medieval temple from the 13th century.
The historic center is possible to visit on foot, as although there is a lot to see, it is not very big :-)
We can find two museums here. One of them is the Cargaleiro Museum, considered the main museum in this city, and for those who appreciate art, you cannot miss visiting it.
The Francisco Tavares Proença Junior Museum is located in the Paço Episcopal and here you can find archaeological finds, primitive art and tapestries.
I still have a lot more to show you, but that’s for next time! I hope you enjoyed 😊
See you around.
Wishing you much peace and health
Those who pass by us do not go alone. They leave a bit of themselves, taking a piece of us."
Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery, The Little Prince.
