BARCO
The parish of Barco is located 20 km from the county seat and is located between Serra da Estrela and Serra da Gardunha, next to the river Zêzere, in the extreme southeast of Castelo Branco and on its limit with the municipality of Fundão. .
A bucolic village with a splendid landscape, which stretches along the north bank of the River Zêzere, it was for many years the crossing point for people and goods, between the banks of the river, thus earning its name.
On the Argemela hill, separated from the village by the river Zêzere, there are remains of three walls, which must have belonged to a Roman camp. According to tradition, this camp would have been built by a Roman proconsul to defend against the Viriato.
Here wolfram and tin were exploited until a few years ago, currently their extraction is at a standstill.
COUTADA
Coutada is located 20km from Covilhã, on top of a 430m hill.
The parish was created on August 4, 1984, forming its territory through the dismemberment of the parish of Barco.
The parish of Coutada is essentially surrounded by pine trees and diverse bush which does not prevent, however, that there are already some wild species in danger of extinction, such as wild boar and wolf, as well as rabbits.
The meaning of the parish name seems obvious. Coutada, feminine noun, means “defense land, surrounded or not, which enjoyed certain privileges”.
Patrimony (Barco)
Church of S. Simão (main)
Two chapels of S. Sebastião
Alminhas
Calvary
Old and Roman Fountains
Olive oil presses
Mortuary
Castro remains of Cabeço dos Mouros and the fortress
Castro do Monte de Argemela
River beach (on the Zêzere river)
