Come visit Linhares, a Portuguese parish in the municipality of Celorico da Beira, which is part of the group of Historical Villages of Portugal
A medieval village from the 12th century, Linhares da Beira has a unique architectural and artistic diversity, the result of the legacy of several eras. In 1169, it received its first charter, attributed by D. Afonso Henriques. But it was only later, during the reign of D. Dinis, that his imposing Castle was erected, ex-libris of the village and the main calling card in our days. To stroll through the streets of this museum village is to make an inroad into the past, its history, and feel the breeze of the Mondego Valley caressing our faces.
Located on the western slope of Serra da Estrela, Linhares da Beira originated in a Portuguese fort. In fact, the Montes Hermínios (this was the Portuguese name of Serra da Estrela), with its pastures, abundance of water and the protective framework of the mountain was one of the places inhabited by this Iberian tribe, of which many Portuguese consider themselves descendants. Linen, which was once one of the important cultures of the region, will be at the origin of the name Linhares, literally a field of linen.