MANTEIGAS
40° 24′ 09″ N, 7° 32′ 25″ W
Manteigas, "Heart of Serra da Estrela", is a Portuguese village, seat of the municipality with the same name, belonging to the district of Guarda, in the province of Beira Alta, region of the Center (Região das Beiras) and sub-region of Beiras and Serra da Estrela. The urban area of the village is divided into the parishes of Santa Maria and São Pedro.
It is the seat of the municipality of Manteigas with an area of 121.98 km² and 2,909 inhabitants (2021), divided into 4 parishes. The municipality is limited to the northwest by the municipality of Gouveia, to the east by Guarda, to the southeast by Covilhã and to the west by Seia.
In the municipality of Manteigas, the river Zêzere originates. It is here that you will find the Serra da Estrela Tower, the Zêzere Glacier Valley, the Cântaro Magro, the beech route, and the Poço do Inferno. Manteigas is the headquarters of the UNESCO Estrela Geopark and is the headquarters of the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela.
Manteigas is, along with Covilhã and Seia, one of the municipalities that share the highest point in mainland Portugal, the Torre da Serra da Estrela.
The village of Manteigas belongs to the network of Aldeias de Montanha.
Location and landscape
Surrounded by magnificent landscapes, the village of Manteigas is located in the middle of the Serra da Estrela mountain range, the highest in mainland Portugal, which is why it is also known as the Heart of Serra da Estrela.
It is also in the municipality of Manteigas that the geological formation of Penhas Douradas is located, which also designates a locality located in the vicinity.
Manteigas is located in the heart of the Zêzere Glacier Valley, which with its perfect 'U' shape is one of the best examples of landscape modeling by glaciers. The area is also often covered with snow in winter and eventually in early spring.
Very close to the village is Poço do Inferno, which has long been one of the ex-libris of Serra da Estrela.
Parishes
The municipality of Manteigas is subdivided into 4 parishes:
Sameiro
Santa Maria
São Pedro
Vale da Amoreira
Patrimony
The municipality of Manteigas has the following built heritage:
Casa das Obras (Solar of the Saraiva Fragoso family, parish of Santa Maria, civil architecture, property of public interest)
Casa da Roda (located in Caldas de Manteigas, Serra da Estrela)
Manteigas Thermal Spa (located in Caldas de Manteigas, Serra da Estrela)
Monumental fountain in Nave de Santo António da Argenteira
Mother Church of Santa Maria (Santa Maria, Manteigas)
Church of São Pedro (São Pedro, Manteigas)
Misericórdia Church (Manteigas)
Former City Hall of Manteigas (17th century building, which belonged to the CTT, and GNR; located in Praça Luís de Camões)
Casa Dr. João Isabel (former medieval jail, adapted in the 19th century)
Chapel of San Lorenzo
Pousada de São Lourenço / Pousada in Serra da Estrela (parish of Santa Maria, monument)
Chapel of Santo André
Chapel of Santo Antonio
Chapel of São Domingos
Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima (São Pedro)
Chapel of Our Lady of Fatima (Santa Maria)
Chapel of Nossa Senhora dos Verdes
Chapel of Nossa Senhora do Carmo (Campo Romão)
Capela de Santa Luzia (former Capela de Santo Estevão)
Casa da Roda, Manteigas, Serra da Estrela
In the villages of Sameiro and Vale de Amoreira:
Church of São João Baptista (Sameiro)
Church of Nossa Senhora da Anunciação (Vale de Amoreira)
