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Penha Garcia Ichnological Park |
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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. |
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Portas de Almourão |
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“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. |
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Malhada Velha Epigenic Gorge |
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Malhada Velha is a place of aesthetic impact and geological heritage. Aesthetic impact: impressive quartzite ramparts rise monumentally, and vertical layers point the sky. |
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Segura Mines |
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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. |
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Corgas geomorphological viewpoint |
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he “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. |
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Ponsul’s Fault Scarp |
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The Ponsul fault 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. |
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Fossil Trees |
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You can admire a magnificent fossil tree (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. |
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Zêzere River Meanders |
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Zezere river present a scenic winding fluvial pattern, charachterized 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! |
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Erges River Gorges |
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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. |
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Fragas da Água d'Alta waterfall |
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Fragas da Agua Alta: the water jumps from a 50 meter-high step, crackle against the rocks, and dissolves in a turbulent cloud. This is an oasis where you can breathe the poetry of nature. Come down from the signalled footpath and take a rest under the Viburnum wood (Viburnum tinus). |
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Portas de Ródão Natural Monument |
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Two colossal quartzite towers rise from the dark water of the Tejo river. More than two hundred meters divide the barren peak of the quartzite towers from the river : this is “Portas do Ródão”, a breath-taking natural monument. |
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Granite Landforms of Serra da Gardunha |
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Serra da Gardunha: a rocky colossus rising on the vast plains of Castelo Branco. 1227 meters of granite, crystalline streams and pine forests. |
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Arês-Apalhão Pedestal Rocks |
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A strange garden grows in the vastness of the Nisa plains: a garden where “rock mushrooms” flourish. Rocks with the shape of fungi |
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Monforte da Beira Mining Complex |
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Since ancient times, the inhabitants of the Geopark understood the importance of mineral resources. In Monforte you can find the ancient remains of intensive mining activity, and not far from Castelo extends the legendary Territorium metallorum. This latin word means “the land of minerals”: in Galeguinhos it is easy to understand the reason of this name. Here your gaze runs into huge pits which are filled with iron ore and scoria. |
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Conhal do Arneiro Roman Gold Mine |
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On the left margin of Tejo river, downstream of Portas do Ródão, there is an enchanted, surreal place: Conhal do Arneiro. Gigantic pebble clusters are spread all over the vast plains: here you will find pebble piles longer than two football fields and higher than 5 meters. |
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