Countie

Sabugal

The Municipality of Sabugal is located at the southeastern end of the District of Guarda. It occupies 822.7 km2 in the transition zone from Cova da Beira to Meseta Ibérica. It adjoins to the north with the Counties of Almeida and Guarda, to the west with that of Belmonte, to the south with those of Fundão and Penamacor. The Spanish border fills the rest of the southern and eastern limits. The tourist has good reasons to visit our land. With regard to the natural heritage, Malcata stands out, with its Natural Reserve. The built heritage reveals traces of human presence in the lands of Riba-Côa since prehistory. For an overview of these brands over time, the best option is a visit to the Sabugal Museum. The municipality of Sabugal is predominantly rural, being the basis of its economy in agriculture and livestock. Pastoralism, associated with the production of sheep and goat cheese, is also very important for the local economy. A little everywhere, the festivals of oragos attract many visitors. Highlights include Senhora da Granja, in Soito, Senhora da Graça, Sabugal, Nossa Senhora da Póvoa, in Sacaparte, and those of Popular Saints, in the month of June. Among the traditions of the Municipality, Capeia Arraiana stands out for its specificity, registered since 2011 in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage, without forgetting, also, the tasty traditional gastronomy. All this and much more can be seen with a visit to Sabugal.

MAIN ATTRACTIONS:

1- FIVE MEDIEVAL VILLAGES: From the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the territory of the current municipality of Sabugal was divided into five villages, each at the head of its municipality: Alfaiates, Sabugal, Sortelha , Vila do Touro and Vilar Maior. In each one there are traces of its past importance, both in terms of military architecture and in symbols of the local political-judicial power. In Sortelha, one of the 12 Villages belonging to the Network of Historical Villages of Portugal, the event "Walls with History" is held annually in September. On the other hand, the Historical Center of Sabugal, welcomes, in the Christmas season, the "Sabugal Presépio - the Greatest Nativity Scene.

2- SERRA DA MALCATA NATURAL RESERVE: The most relevant element of the county's natural heritage is undoubtedly the Serra da Malcata Nature Reserve. It covers an area of ​​16,348 ha, divided between the municipalities of Sabugal and Penamacor. It is a place where you can see different species of plants and animals, some of which are subject to special protection.

3 - MUSEU DO SABUGAL: The Museu do Sabugal has two exhibition spaces: the permanent exhibition, of an archaeological character, portrays the human presence in the area of ​​the municipality, over time; the other space is intended for temporary exhibitions, having welcomed, since its opening, projects from very diverse areas: painting, sculpture, ethnography, etc.

4 - CAPEIA ARRAIANA: Capeia Arraiana is a bullfighting manifestation specific to some villages in the municipality of Sabugal close to the border with Spain. Capeia Arraiana is unique and different from other bullfighting manifestations because the fighting of the wild bull is done collectively and with the resource of the fortress. It is in the month of August that Capeia is held, together with the patronal festival of each community. It is usually done in the main square of the village. Before Capeia, the “closure” and the “steer of the race” are made, and after Capeia, the “disenchantment”, with which it ends.

5 - RIO CÔA: The Côa River, which rises in the Serra das Mesas (Fóios), until it flows into the Douro River, near Vila Nova de Foz Coa, runs almost 135 km through areas practically wild, which preserves the purity of the water.