Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parking is generally not difficult. There are lots of paid spots in the square just south of
the
sé
, with free overnight parking for motor homes in the lot just east of the Cidadela.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Parque Natural de Montesinho
The peaceful highlands along Portugal's northeastern border with Spain constitute one of
Trás-os-Montes' most appealing natural and cultural landscapes - it's a patchwork of
rolling grasslands, giant chestnut trees, oak forests and deep canyons, sprinkled with an-
cient stone villages where an ageing population still ekes out a hard-scrabble existence.
The 750-sq-km Parque Natural de Montesinho was established to protect the area's 88
lean villages as much as their natural setting. This harsh, remote
terra fria
inspired early
Portuguese rulers to establish a system of collective land tenure and then leave the villa-
gers to their own devices, allowing for a remarkably democratic, communal culture,
which persists today.
Unfortunately, remote villages continue to be deserted by their young, and many have
not a single resident under the age of 60. However, these settlements - mostly just small
clusters of granite houses roofed in slate and sheltering in deep valleys - retain an irresist-
ible charm, especially in late April, when cherry and chestnut trees are in flower. In some
towns, the government has helped preserve traditional slate-roofed stone houses as well as
churches, forges, mills and the characteristic, charming
pombals
(dovecotes).
Villages that retain lashings of character include Pinheiro Novo, Sernande, Moimenta
and Dine in the west, and Montesinho, Varge, Rio de Onor and Guadramil in the east.
The natural base from which to explore the park is Bragança. Smaller villages within
the park also offer accommodation, but public transport is patchy. A great resource for
info about the park is
www.amontesinho.pt
.
