Serra da Estrela

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Serra da Estrela (English: Mountain range of the Star) is the highest mountain range in Portugal and includes mainland Portugal's highest peak (Pico mountain in the Portuguese Azores islands is higher), which has a natural altitude of 1,993 m (around 6,541 feet), on the highest point. The location of this tower is known as Torre ("Tower", literally translated), and it's located in Loriga, in the municipality of Seia. There is a ski resort in that area, named Vodafone Ski Resort.

The mountain range, situated between the municipalities of Seia and Covilhã, is about 100 km (62.13 miles) long and is 30 km (18.64 miles) at its widest point. It is formed from a huge granite ridge that once formed the southern frontier of the country. Due to its bizarrely shaped crags and gorges, mountain streams and lakes, beautiful forests and magnificent views, the area ranks among Portugal’s outstanding scenic attractions.

Visitors to the mountain can check the existence and amount of snow, using a free online system called SnowWatch.

1 Rivers
2 Nature Park
3 Serra da Estrela dog
4 Serra da Estrela cheese
5 History, legends and myths
6 Gallery
7 External links

[edit] Rivers

There are three rivers that have their headwaters in the Serra da Estrela: the Mondego, which is the biggest river entirely within Portuguese territory; and the Zêzere, which is a tributary to the Tagus; a tributary of the Mondego, the Alva also has its headwaters in the range.

[edit] Nature Park

The mountain range is now part of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park and offers plentiful skiing opportunities in the ski resort of Loriga.

[edit] Serra da Estrela dog

The Serra da Estrela Dog (Cão da Serra da Estrela) is a breed of mountain dog that takes its name from this region.

[edit] Serra da Estrela cheese

Queijo Serra da Estrela (Serra da Estrela cheese) is a cheese from the region of Serra da Estrela.

[edit] History, legends and myths

A legend associated with the mountain is mentioned in chapter 41 of the American literary classic, Moby-Dick:

"... the prodigies related in old times of the inland Strello mountain in Portugal (near whose top there was said to be a lake in which the wrecks of ships floated up to the surface)..."