Penela (05/02/2015)

I took an early bus to Penela, being there just a few during the day connecting Coimbra to the little town of Penela. Once I got there I started walking towards the main attraction of this small village: the castle. I walked through the village's small streets going uphill and stopped at the main church, quite small and empty but nice from the outside. I then headed for the tourist office which was located right before the castle; I got a map and then headed for the castle's entrance. There are two entrances to the castle, either trough the western gate which used to be the only one, or through the southern breach created later. The castle was built during the time of the Reconqusita and was an important one in the defensive line. I got in through the breach and directed myself towards the church sitting inside the walls, next to the keep. It was unfortunately closed and so I could only see it from the outside. I then walked up what remained of the castle's keep; from the top I could see the snow capped part of the Serra da Estrela in contrast with the green and lush forests all around. I then walked on top of the walls and along the battlement and the out trough the gate down towards the village. I walked around for a while and passed by an old ruined monastery; then since the only bus back was around 5 I went back to the castle, sat on a bench and enjoyed the sun for a couple of hours.

The castle of Penela

View of the southern end and the breach

View of the surrounding landscape

View of the village from the top of the walls