Bragança - Natural heritage

As a result of the variety of microclimates and orographies, the largest Transfrontier Biosphere Reserve in Europe can be enriched by the enormous wealth of its biodiversity, both in terms of fauna and flora, in some protected areas several species are at risk of extinction. , countless endemic species and precious botanical treasures.

Several herds of wolves (the highest density on the European continent), run through the mountains of La Culebra, as well as wild boars and wild boars, in a territory that extends through the forests of Montesinho. In this Natural Park, 80 percent of existing mammals survive in Portugal, highlighting the wild cat, the Iberian desmán, and the topera (water) rat.

The deep gorges, some over 200 meters high, flank the Duero River and the Agueda River, home to significant communities of rupicolous birds. Endangered species such as the black cigüeña, the Bonelli's eagle, the real eagle, food and peregrine falcon are found on the cliffs of the natural parks of the Arribes and Douro Internacional, together with the red rains and a large number of lioned vultures. On the shores, the presence of the rare Galapagos stands out.

History and traditions

Zoomorphic figures and cave paintings from protohistory, Celtiberian hillforts, Roman bridges and sidewalks, agricultural materials betrayed by the Arabs - throughout the Biosphere Reserve you can find traces of the settlements that inhabited the region.

Small hermitages, beautiful churches and large monasteries adorn the towns and cities, while some fortresses such as the Castillo de Algoso in Vimioso, perch high on the hills. Other magnificent medieval castles can be visited in Puebla de Sanabria, Bragança, Miranda do Douro and Mogadouro. Other cities worth mentioning are Fermoselle, in Duero, and Mirandela located on the banks of the Tua River.

From the Christian legacy there were small hermitages at the top of the hills, the churches that elevated Zamora as the "Romantic capital", and the religious monuments of the historic center of Salamanca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to Puebla de Sanabria, Fermoselle and Bragança, other towns such as Mirandela also deserve to be highlighted.