Torre (Serra da Estrela)
| Torre | |
|---|---|
 A tower (Torre, in Portuguese) marks the highest point of Continental Portugal. |
|
| Elevation | 6,540 ft (1,993 m) |
| Prominence | 3,950 ft (1,204 m) |
| Parent peak | Pico Almanzor |
| Listing | Extreme points of Portugal |
| Location | |
 Torre
|
|
| Range | Serra da Estrela (part of Sistema Central) |
| Coordinates | 40°19′18.72″N 7°36′46.68″W / 40.3218667°N 7.6129667°WCoordinates: 40°19′18.72″N 7°36′46.68″W / 40.3218667°N 7.6129667°W |
| Climbing | |
| First ascent | Unknown |
| Easiest route | Drive |
Torre (English: Tower) is a monument that marks the highest point of Mainland Portugal, and the second most elevated of the Portuguese Republic (only Mount Pico, in the Azores, is higher). This point is not a distinctive mountain summit, but rather the highest point in a mountain range. Torre has an unusual feature of being a summit that is accessible by paved road, the Regional Road 339 (R 339), formerly National Road 339 (N 339).
It is located in a mountain range named Serra da Estrela, on the border between the municipalities of Seia, District of Guarda and Covilhã, District of Castelo Branco. This tower also gives its name to the locality where it is situated, the highest place of that mountain range.
The actual elevation of this area is 1,993 metres (6,637 feet), according to measures realized by the Instituto Geográfico do Exército (a military organization). Right in the highest point of the mountain range, situated in the middle of a roundabout, near a road that connects the cities of Seia and Covilhã, a geodesic mark that shows the highest point in Serra da Estrela (called Torre), was built.
Near Torre, there are a restaurant, stores with typical products of this region, like the Serra da Estrela cheese, and a ski center called Vodafone Ski Resort, situated in the municipality of Seia. However, the nearest urban area of this place is the city of Covilhã, 20 km (12 mi) away, and the nearest accommodations are situated in the village of Penhas da Saúde, 10 minutes away.
[edit] Sources
- (English) Serra da Estrela Forecast, Snow Report and Resort Information
- (English) (Portuguese) Região de Turismo da Serra da Estrela
- (English) (Portuguese) Câmara Municipal da Covilhã (Covilhã City Hall)
Tower built by King Joao of Portugal
