Story Studio
Sortelha

Built when the "foral" was granted by D. Sancho II, in 1228, this is a rocky, Romanesque-Gothic castle, with occasional intervention from the Manueline period, while the walls, somewhat predating the castle, were built on the basis of two strong walls and parallel, like formwork, between which the space was filled with thick stone and gravel. The Castle has been classified, since 1910, as a National Monument, and this old village was recently valued within the framework of the Historic Villages of Portugal program.

Legend has it that, one night, an army of Moors surrounded the fortress of Sortelha, with the aim of recovering this strategic location. In the castle were the mayor, his wife, and their daughter, a beautiful maiden. The maiden and the leader of the Moors exchanged glances, and from that moment on, neither one nor the other stopped thinking about meeting. Therefore, the Moorish chief promised freedom to a Christian prisoner, with the conditions he imposed: - “You will speak with the maiden alone and you will open the door for her.” The girl's mother, who was said to be a sorceress, realized that something was going on that night and, seeing the two lovers kissing by the walls, exclaimed. - “Damn! I curse you and turn you to stone!” And the two, embracing, lips to lips, were petrified. And so they remained, forever.

Affected by the passage of time, the granite formations present in this territory, stripped of trees to protect them, gain a sometimes curious appearance, creating the perfect setting for fantasizing about delicious stories and legends that last until today. In Sortelha, the well-known Cabeça da Velha stands out, which, due to its physiognomy, resembles a face aged by age.

One of the entrance spaces in the village. We are welcomed by some of the most imposing houses in Sortelha. House Number One will be the oldest, with a porch and external staircase next to the neighboring house, Casa do Escrivão da Câmara.

Built-in 1973 by the people of Sortelha and built by builder Joaquim Reis, a mason from Quarta-Feira. It does not have a dial facing the Historic Village as the inhabitants within the walls did not want to contribute to the work.

The Igreja Matriz, dedicated to Nossa Senhora das Neves, is located in Largo da Igreja, within the walled perimeter of Sortelha. It was originally a Romanesque church, probably founded in the 13th century, and in which important remains were found in the archaeological excavations carried out inside. On the portal, it has a carved date, 1573, which will correspond to its expansion and which gave it its current appearance. On the side wall of the chancel, there is a gothic image of Nossa Senhora das Neves with the baby in her arms. The head of this image was cut off, according to tradition, by a Napoleonic soldier who wanted to certify that the image was made of gold.

It was once part of Spanish rule (Kingdom of León, 12th century), but since the reign of D. Dinis, it has been an important point of defense for Portuguese territory with its imposing castle and keep and also the wall that surrounded the village. Medieval, a part of which still exists today. It is also worth visiting the banks of the Côa River that surrounds Sabugal, offering the city an excellent river beach.

Some say that the name comes from the place where the town “stands” (beautiful mount or beautiful mount), others attribute the name to something more warlike - “belli monte” - war mount. What we do know is that this sunny land of good people is the birthplace of the navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral, who discovered Brazil and from there you can discover centuries-old stories and endless landscapes.

The highest point in mainland Portugal, this is the perfect place for fans of adventure and sports that get your heart pumping, but also for those looking for the silence of the mountains, idyllic landscapes, and generous nature with relaxing waters and therapeutic properties. . And both types of tourists cannot miss the gastronomic ex-libris of this area: the famous Queijo da Serra da Estrela.

This protected area was created with the aim of protecting the Iberian lynx and its habitat, one of the most endangered species on the European continent. In addition to the Iberian lynx, you can try to spot the black vulture, a bird also characteristic of this territory. The landscape diversity offered by this nature reserve challenges adventure, exploring the various walking and cycling routes, as well as navigating the various water courses in a kayak and on the Sabugal Dam (Côa River).

Also known as the Hotel Águas de Radium, it was a hotel and spa unit, created in a period when it was believed that radioactive materials had healing powers. The Radium Waters were considered the most radioactive in the world and achieved enormous success in the 20s of the last century. Following the Second World War and the perception of the devastating effects of radioactivity, the hotel ended up closing for good in the 1950s. Today, in ruins, it is a place that generates a lot of curiosity and deserves a visit for the magnificence of the place and its history.

The history of the medicinal waters of Cró dates back to the Roman era, but the oldest reference dates from the 16th century. XVIII, by the physician Del’ Rei D. João V, who already at the time spoke of its remarkable healing effects. Currently, the Estância Termal do Cró has modern facilities and cutting-edge equipment and services, which allows it to offer different therapeutic responses associated with classic thermalism - respiratory, skin and rheumatic, and musculoskeletal - as well as several wellness/ SPA, highlighted by its enigmatic indoor pool.