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Geopark Naturtejo
Geopark Naturtejo

Geopark Naturtejo

Geopark Naturtejo Meseta Meridional UNESCO European and Global Geopark, in Portugal, unifying the municipalities of Castelo Branco, Idanha-a-Nova, Oleiros, Proença-a-Nova, Nisa e Vila Velha de Ródão, has the main task to value the sites that act as key-testimonies of Earth History, instigating employment and promoting regional sustainable development. The wonderful geomorphologic, geological, palaeontological and mining heritages are composed by geosites with national and international relevance, such as the fossils route of Penha Garcia, Portas do Ródão and Vale Mourão gorges, the Roman gold mine of Conhal do Arneiro and the granite morphologies from Serra da Gardunha and Monsanto. Beyond geosites, Naturtejo Geopark integrates the International Tagus Natural Park and the protected areas in the scope of Natura 2000 Network (Site Gardunha) and also the Important Bird Areas (Penha Garcia – Toulões and the quartzite range of Ródão), that show its ecological richness and environmental awareness. The millenary History of this region is revealed by the presence of hundreds archaeological sites, the highest concentration of Templar castles, churches and manor houses, reaching a rare diversity in Portugal. The Roman Civitas Egitania ruins in Idanha-a-Velha, the Palaeolithic settlements and Rock Art widespread in the Tagus valley, as well as the megalithic regions of Nisa and Rosmaninhal are vital spots of archaeological understanding. The ancestral costums, the lively testimonies of the multiple singularities borderland culture, have deep roots in the ancient landscape. The “most Portuguese village of Portugal” prize was given to Monsanto and the Shist Villages from Geopark are symbols of this ethnographic diversity which still very well preserved

Available Episodes 10

The gorge of Ponsul river crosses the towering quartzite crest where the templar castle of Penha Garcia gloriously rises. The landscape of Penha Garcia is unique: it is the result of more than 480 million of years of biologic and geologic processes. This site is well-known at a global scale for its trace fossils heritage, but this is only one of the significant features you can find here. In fact Penha Garcia is an open-air classroom which embraces multidisclipinary aspects easy accessible during all the year. The footpath PR3 – Fossils Route starts at “Largo Chão da Igreja”: by following it you will observe and appreciate the astounding palaeontological heritage, the significant biodivesity and the fascinating templar vestiges of Penha Garcia.

“Portas de Almourão” is located in the Ocreza river gorge, between Sobral Fernando (Proença-a-Nova) and the Schist Village of Foz do Cobrão (Vila Velha de Ródão). Here you will perceive the wild beauty of the landscape: imposing quartzite scarps, large tectonic folds and the Ocreza valley, a deep scar carved in white rocks. The diversity of the geologic landscape is a fundamental support for the biodiversity. In fact “Portas de Almourão” is an important nesting area for raptor birds; it is populated by the blue blackbird, the otter and the squirrel. Geology played an important role for past civilizations too: this area was intensely exploited for gold by Romans. In fact nearby Sobral Fernando are found impressive alluvial mining structures left by Romans. Along the right side of the Ocreza river it is possible to observe mysterious drain galleries whose origin is not fully explained. There are some fairy tales on them… Follow the footpath PR2 - "The Almourão Valley Secrets" (starting from Sobral Fernando) and PR3 "Caminho do Xisto de Vale Mourão" (starting from Foz do Cobrão) to enjoy the beauty of this wild landscape.

Malhada Velha is a place of aesthetic impact and geological heritage. Aesthetic impact: impressive quartzite ramparts rise monumentally, and vertical layers point the sky. Geological heritage: here you can find perfect examples of faults and folds. These structures originated after huge stresses: imagine the strength deserving to bend hundreds of meters of rock (fold) and the energy necessary to break and displace enormous quartzite blocks (fault). These structure where originated during an orogenetic history lasting more than 140 millions of years: faults and folds are the signature of the mountain building process.

Segura is a land of granites and miners. The surface of this land did not always give subsistence to men so for many years they tried to find it underground. The Mines Route has as the purpose to help to take knowledge of the natural heritage of Segura board, with the interpretation of the magnificent geologic landscapes and mineral resources genesis that during more than a century, had impregnated the experiences and customs of the region. (PR4 Footpath – Mines Route)

The “urze” heather (Erica lusitanica) appears several times in latin literature as it deserved in gold mining. In fact this plant was used by Romans to sieve fluvial sediments; after this process it was burned to extract gold from the ashes. You can find this plant in Corgas, a place with a breath taking viewpoint: from here you can admire the three-dimensional shape of a giant fold longer than 20 km.

Even though granites are common in Northern and Central Portugal, it is in the Beiras area that granite morphologies reach their best expression. Here the vastness of the plains is broken by scenic Inselberge, residual granite reliefs. Since the beginnings, these reliefs have been inhabited to protect the plain regions. From the top of the Monsanto Granite Inselberge, a templar castle rises over the ruins of the old village (National Monument). On the flanks of the inselberg the picturesque Monsanto village and, at the base, the fascinating Romanic Chapel of S. Pedro de Vir-a-Corça (Monument of Public Interest) . This scenario is breath-taking. Following ancient shepherd trails and rural footpaths, you will find a natural space where nature, science and history coexist in harmony.

The Ponsul faults scarp is one of the most important active fault in all region. It is extended from Arneiro beyond the Spanish border in Termas de Monfortinho, composing an impressive topographical detachment 120 km wide. Ponsul fault is a sinistral shear zone with more than 300 million years, and still today with seismic activity.

You can admire a magnificent fossil trees (its average diameter is one meter) which has a very important scientific value. In fact it is the first discover of Annonoxylon teixeirae in Portugal: this petrified tree lived 5 millions of years ago, when the landscape was completely different from nowadays.

Zezere river presents a scenic winding fluvial pattern, characterized by subsequent bends in the river course. This fluvial feature is known as meandering and its origin is generally linked with lateral changes in the water speed. Obstacles (i.e. stones or rough riverbed) affect the water speed and, consequently, its capacity to load sediment. This process controlled the meanders of Zezere river, originating one of the most beautiful fluvial valleys of Portugal. Follow the panoramic roads to admire the magnificent scenario of Zezere valley: this is a must-see!

Let’s do an aesthetic exercise of imagination. Relax your mind, imagine to be water, pure water, and flow. Imagine to be the water of Erges river, and feel the beauty of the landscapes touched by your water. During April the water caresses the vegetation and dances with it. The flora blooms during springtime, and the riversides are full of green, blue and yellow. These wetlands are a shelter for many species of birds: vultures, eagles, black-storks and many other birds frequent these areas. The biodiversity is amazing, and for this reason the most of the Erges river is included in the Tejo International Natural Park. During summertime the landscape changes abruptly: the water of Erges river becomes a thin string, appearing and disappearing between stones. All around a pebble wasteland spreads in all its wild splendour. Only during rainshowers the riverbed is invaded by water, flowing with renewed strength. The power of the water carved three gorges in a territory of fierce beauty. Visit Termas de Monfortinho and follow the marked footpaths (PR1 footpath – Vultures Route [Salvaterra do Extremo] and PR4 – Mines Route [Segura]): this is the best way to breathe the enchanted atmosphere of Erges river.