Site of ancient passage, the Portas do Montemuro (Montemuro doors) are a privileged point to observe the morphology and the landscape of Montemuro mountain. To the south, with steep slopes, we can observe the valley of the river Paiva and spot some mountains part of central Portugal, as the Estrela and Caramulo mountains and the massive of Gralheira. To the north stands the spectacular, and closely born, river Bestança fracture valley, extending into the landscape and flowing into the Douro river meeting the Gerês and Marão mountains. Here was built the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Amparo (Our Lady of Perpetual Help), built in 1758, marking a place of worship for several centuries.
The Montemuro doors are located in the highest part of the mountain, and present very particular characteristics due to severe weather conditions. Here, in the middle of rocks and boulders of many different shapes and forms, one can find diverse peculiar and rare flora such as the pygmy daffodil, protected iberian endemism that arises in northern peninsular mountains of higher altitude, here springing punctually into cracks between the moisty rocks. Endemic species also thrive in this landscape, such as the rocky daisy, the iberian mountain broom and the rocky germander. Regarding fauna, and taking in account the harsh conditions, we can observe several species like, the ocellated lizard, the snub-nosed viper, the common-kestrel or the rare common rock thrush.
Also known as “wall”, it is assumed that the walls of Portas do Montemuro are remnants of a fortified settlement from the Iron Age (1200 B.C.), belonging to the period of Celtic culture. It was later used in Roman times and, later, by the forces of Dom Afonso Henriques (1.st Portuguese king) in the battles of the Reconquest.
