Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Driving can be hairy, thanks to mist and wet or icy roads at high elevations, and stiff
winds. The Gouveia−Manteigas N232 road is one of the most tortuous in all of Portugal.
Be prepared for traffic jams around Torre on weekends.
A SHEPHERD'S BEST FRIEND
Any animal lover travelling through the Serra da Estrela will be hard-pressed to resist the 'take-me-home-now'
feeling prompted by the region´s indigenous Cão da Serra da Estrela, or
Estrela mountain dog
(EMD). It´s not
just the adorable fuzzy golden and black puppies; the massive adults are as handsome as they are strong, smart,
loving and loyal.
Widely recognised as one of the most ancient breeds on the Iberian Peninsula, the EMD is thought to have des-
cended from dogs brought by the Romans or Visigoths. Over the centuries, shepherds chose the best dogs to
guard their goats and sheep and perform in harsh mountain conditions. Fiercely resisting any predator daring
enough to attack its flock, the EMD can also be gentle as a lamb, especially in its nurturing attitude towards the
young of both the human and goat/sheep variety. Traditionally the dogs were outfitted with spiked collars to pro-
tect their throats against an attacking wolf or bear.
While today the EMD is a popular Portuguese pet, its traditional use has declined drastically. Ironically, the
wolf-recovery organisation
Grupo Lobo
(
http://lobo.fc.ul.pt
) has become a leading advocate for reviving the
EMD's role as herd guardian. Conservationists worldwide now see herd-guarding dogs as one of the best
strategies for protecting flocks while promoting wolf recovery.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Seia
POP 5700 / ELEV 532M
Despite its sweeping views over the surrounding lowlands, modern Seia feels largely like
a charmless strip of contemporary buildings slapped onto a hillside. The best reasons to
visit are the local museums, especially the Serra da Estrela interpretative centre, and the
attractive rural lodgings in the surrounding hills. The town itself is also a handy place to
buy cheese, cured meats and woolly slippers.
Sights & Activities
Centro de Interpretaçaõ da
Serra da Estrela
(CISE;
MUSEUM
238 320 300;
www.cise-seia.org.pt
; Rua Visconde Molelos; adult/child €4/2.50;
10am-6pm Tue-Sun)
This regional museum provides an excellent introduction to the Serra da Estrela re-
gion. A nine-minute 3D film in English or Portuguese takes you flying around the moun-
