Serra da Estrela mountain range is the Highest in Continental Portugal. It is the westernmost range and one constituent of the Highest in the Central System. It includes mainland Portugal's Highest point at 1.993 m (6.539 ft) above mean sea level Highest point at ITS. This point is not a Distinctive mountain summit, but rather the Highest point in the plateau, Being known the tower ("Tower" auf Deutsch). Torre has the unusual feature of Being a summit that is accessible by paved road. The peak has a topographic prominence of 1,200 m and Its parent peak is Pico Almanzor, in Spain.
There is a ski resort at the summit, named Vodafone Ski Resort.
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| "Cão Serra da Estrela" ( which means dog "Serra da Estrela") is a breed of dog native ofPortugal, mountainous region with the same name. Has all the qualities required in this wild country, is intelligent, loyal and brave. |
Natural Park of Serra da Estrela
Located in the Serra da Estrela Natural Park of Serra da Estrela covers a significant part of this mountain, which is the highest in Portugal (1993 meters).
Marked by rock masses of granite, schist and xistograuvaquicos and traces of ancient glaciers, high altitude and location of the natural park make it one of the places in the country with the highest precipitation.
With important natural values, including some unique species of flora in the country, fauna stands out the wolf (Canis lupus), wild boar, otter, fox (Vulpes vulpes), the lizard-of-mountain (Lacerta monticola monticola) the genet (Genetta Genetta) and the European rabbit, (Oryctolagus cuniculus).
The importance of this area makes it Biogenetic Reserve. In 2000 he was designated an area of 88,291 hectares as a Site of Community Interest and became part of the Natura 2000 network.
Existing Flora
Cervum
Urgueira
Wrack
Genista
Reed
Thistle
Serradella
Fetus
Cheese “Serra da Estrela”
Serra da Estrela cheese PDO, commonly called the Serra cheese is an aged cheese, semimole with pasta, creamy white or yellowish. It is made from sheep's milk, in the Serra da Estrela. It is considered the best cheese from Portugal.
It is produced with milk from sheep breeds Bordaleira Serra da Estrela and / or Churra Mondegueira, curdled by the flower of the thistle (Cynara cardunculus L.), a plant native to the region. The weight varies between 0.7 kg and 1.7 kg. Produced in winter, its success depended, once, the temperature of the hands of women who manufactured the cold granite houses typical of the architecture of the region. You can also find this cheese is made with a mixture of sheep's milk and goat's milk, not subject to DOP, both for home consumption and for sale to small scale.
The mountain cheese was named one of the 7 Wonders of Gastronomy of Portugal.
