The train to Guarda

A poet, Júlio Ribeiro, used several F-words to describe the city, but none was the English F-word: 'Farta (bountiful), Fria (cold), Fidalga (noble) and Feiticeira (bewitching)', but only two are still left over. “Farta” for the fertile land surrounding it, and “Fria” from the chilly hug it gets from Serra da Estrela.

Over the years, it has been given more Fs. “Fiel” (faithful), for the historical refusal of the castle's mayor to hand over the keys to the King of Castela. “Forte” (strong) for its fortified building and “Formosa” (beautiful) for its beauty.

The city, bathed in the western sunshine, makes the winter cosy, and we just need to look closer to find some inspiring piece of granite to amaze us. We look around and can almost feel the mysticism of other times that the city hides on every corner.

It is easy to lose track of time as you wander around Guarda. It doesn't take much effort to find the symbol that crowns the site: the cathedral—a dream of princesses' weddings, a monument and a house of communion.

Guarda Cathedral makes us look up towards the sky. Whether you are believers or not, its impressiveness conquers everyone. Built in the reign of D. João I in the 16th century, the cathedral is proof of ageing gracefully. The Portuguese even say, “As old as Guarda Cathedral” because it is so old, but its beauty and impressiveness cannot be denied.

Guarda is a 3-D city where climbing up and down the roads is part of life. But the sounds, smells and surrounding mountains give it the mysticism of the Beira Alta region.