Guarda

Guarda, city (1991 pop. 18,215), capital of Guarda dist., N central Portugal, in Beira Alta. On the slopes of the Serra da Estrela, it is Portugal's highest city (c.3,400 ft/1,040 m) and is a winter sports resort. Guarda is also the commercial center of an agricultural region, producing metals, leather, and alcoholic beverages. It has an old fort, a castle, and a Gothic cathedral.

Guarda (pron. 'gwaɾdɐ) is a city and a municipality in Portugal with a total area of 712.1 km² and a total population of 44,149. The city proper has a population of 31,224 Guarda was founded in 1199 by the second king of Portugal, Sancho I.

The municipality is composed of 55 parishes, and is located in the District of Guarda, in the Centro region, and Beira Interior Norte sub-region. Guarda is the largest city in this sub-region, capital of the Guarda District and the Urban Community of Beiras. It is served by major highways and an international train station. The municipality is bordered by the municipality Pinhel to the north, to the east by Almeida, to the southeast by Sabugal, to the south by Belmonte and Covilhã, to the west by Manteigas and Gouveia, and to the northwest by Celorico da Beira.

Guarda is the highest city in Portugal, located northeast of Serra da Estrela (The largest mountain in mainland Portugal). The main attraction of Guarda is the cathedral, known by Sé da Guarda. Guarda is a diocese of the same name. Guarda(Gare)is served by two trainlinesLinha da Beira Alta and Linha da Beira Baixa. The main motorway is A25. The present mayor is Joaquim Valente, a member of the Socialist Party. The former mayor was Maria do Carmo Pires Almeida Borges.

The municipal holiday is November 27.

Parishes

Adão Albardo Aldeia do Bispo Aldeia Viçosa Alvendre Arrifana Avelãs da Ribeira Avelãs de Ambom Benespera Carvalhal Meão Casal de Cinza Castanheira Cavadoude Codesseiro Corujeira Faia Famalicão Fernão Joanes Gagos Gonçalo Gonçalo Bocas João Antão Maçainhas Marmeleiro Meios Mizarela Monte Margarida Panóias de Cima

Pega Pêra do Moço Pêro Soares Porto da Carne Pousada Ramela Ribeira dos Carinhos Rocamondo Rochoso Santana da Azinha São Miguel da Guarda São Miguel de Jarmelo São Pedro de Jarmelo São Vicente Sé Seixo Amarelo Sobral da Serra Trinta Vale de Estrela Valhelhas Vela Videmonte Vila Cortês do Mondego Vila Fernando Vila Franca do Deão Vila Garcia Vila Soeiro

References

External links

• Municipality official website
• Guarda Photos
• Photos from Guarda