t Brightly coloured moliceiros on the Canal Central
t Brightly coloured moliceiros on the Canal Central
Experience The Beiras
The three provinces of the Beiras may not be a tourist hub, but their past commercial and defensive significance has left its mark. In Beira Litoral, the prows of Aveiro’s seaweed boats are a legacy of trade with the Phoenicians, while Viseu – Beira Alta’s capital – grew up at a crossroads of Roman trading routes. The Romans were never as firmly entrenched here as further south, but the ruins of Conímbriga speak eloquently of the elegant city that once stood here. It gave its name to Coimbra, which temporarily became the country’s capital from 1139 until 1260. Conscious of Spain’s proximity and claim on their land, successive Portuguese kings constructed a great defensive chain of forts along the vulnerable eastern border. These fortresses continued to prove vital in the fight for independence from Spain in the 17th century, and again against Napoleon’s forces. Even Buçaco, revered for the peace and sanctity of its forest, is known as the site of Wellington’s successful stand against Masséna.
Despite the unforgiving terrain, the Beiras are famed as the source of some gastronomic treats: Portugal’s favourite cheese is made in the Serra da Estrela, while the region’s red wines are among Portugal’s best known.