Description Covilhã

Between rivers and mountains, the city of Covilhã is one of the gateway to Serra da Estrela.

Land of Lusitanian shepherds in its origin, it was regained from the Moors by King D. Sancho I, who protected it with walls and established itself as a strategic point during the Middle Ages, especially with King D. Dinis, when he put into practice the reinforcement of defense of the territory.

One of the mandatory references in Covilhã is the art of wool, which started in the time of D. Sancho I and developed by the Jewish community that settled here since then and remained until the century. XV. The textile industry, which produced all the uniforms of the Portuguese army during the reign of D. João V, gained a new impetus in 1763 under the action of Marquis de Pombal who founded the Royal Fabric Factory here, becoming the largest center of wool production across the country. The resulting economic growth led Covilhã to become a city in 1870.

A visit to the heritage does not dispense with the old Jewish quarter, with its narrow streets and Manueline windows, the Chapel of São Martinho, the Chapel of Santa Cruz and the Wool Museum.

In Covilhã and nearby, get to know the Land of Castles, Historical Villages, the Route of Wool, the Route of the Ancient Juderias and the Natural Park of Serra da Estrela making one of the routes that give you to know the natural and cultural heritage this region.