Sortelha – Historical Village

Number of inhabitants: 240

Observations: The settlement lies on a rocky area overlooking the Vale do Alto Côa.

Description of the place: All the buildings of this Historical Village are made of granite, from the houses to the pavement of the narrow streets, as well as the walls of the 760m high castle. The castle was built by D. Sancho II, undergoing several restoring works (under the ruling period of D. Dinis, D. Fernando and D. Manuel) after some earthquakes that affected its structure. Sortelha has still kept its strong circular walls stretching along the natural slopes that surround the village as a ring. Inside the village, it is worth highlighting the citadel’s enclosure at the top of a higher cliff with the squared keep in the centre. From this place, you will contemplate a far-reaching horizon with Malcata Mountain and the final line of Estrela Mountain in the distance. Apart from the castle, there are also other outstanding exemplars, such as 14th century main church dedicated to Virgem das Neves; a set of Medieval graves sculpted in the rock and a Manueline pillory. Unusually shaped granite formations such as “Pedra do Beijo” (the kiss stone) or “Cabeça da Velha” (old woman’s head) are also quite curious.

Number of inhabitants: 240

Observations: The settlement lies on a rocky area overlooking the Vale do Alto Côa.

Description of the place: All the buildings of this Historical Village are made of granite, from the houses to the pavement of the narrow streets, as well as the walls of the 760m high castle. The castle was built by D. Sancho II, undergoing several restoring works (under the ruling period of D. Dinis, D. Fernando and D. Manuel) after some earthquakes that affected its structure. Sortelha has still kept its strong circular walls stretching along the natural slopes that surround the village as a ring. Inside the village, it is worth highlighting the citadel’s enclosure at the top of a higher cliff with the squared keep in the centre. From this place, you will contemplate a far-reaching horizon with Malcata Mountain and the final line of Estrela Mountain in the distance. Apart from the castle, there are also other outstanding exemplars, such as 14th century main church dedicated to Virgem das Neves; a set of Medieval graves sculpted in the rock and a Manueline pillory. Unusually shaped granite formations such as “Pedra do Beijo” (the kiss stone) or “Cabeça da Velha” (old woman’s head) are also quite curious.