Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TRAIN
Guarda's modern train station is served by at least two fast IC trains daily from Lisbon
(€20.70, 4¼ hours) and Coimbra (€12.70, 2¼ hours). For Porto change at Pampilhosa.
Getting Around
Buses (€0.90) between the train station and the centre are infrequent; if one isn't waiting,
you're probably better off taking a
taxi
(€4 to €5).
TOP OF CHAPTER
Trancoso
POP 3100 / ELEV 870M
A warren of cobbled lanes squeezed within Dom Dinis' mighty 13th-century walls makes
peaceful, hilltop Trancoso a delightful retreat from the modern world.
Although it's predominantly a medieval creation, the town's castle also features a rare,
intact Moorish tower, while just outside the walls are what are believed to be Visigothic
tombs.
Dinis underscored the importance of this border fortress by marrying the saintly Dona
Isabel of Aragon here in 1282. But the town's favourite son is Bandarra, a lowly 16th-cen-
tury shoemaker and fortune-teller who put official noses out of joint by foretelling the end
of the Portuguese monarchy.
Sure enough, shortly after Bandarra's death, the young Dom Sebastião died, heirless, in
the disastrous Battle of Alcácer-Quibir in 1558. Soon afterwards, Portugal fell under
Spanish rule.
Sights
Old Town
The
Portas d'El Rei
(King's Gate), surmounted by the ancient coat of arms, was always the
principal entrance, whose guillotine -like door sealed out unwelcome visitors. The walls
run intact for over 1km around the medieval core, which is centred on the main square,
Largo Padre Francisco Ferreira
. The square, in turn, is anchored by an octagonal
pelourinho
(pillory) dating from 1510. Another important gate,
Portas do Prado
, serves as the western
entrance to the walled town.
HISTORIC AREA
