Penha Garcia, Portugal
Penha Garcia is a Portugese hillside village in the Castelo Branco area of Central Portugal, only a few miles away from the border with Spain. The views from the village of the surrounding area are simply stunning. The village has been populated for a very long time. Neolithic remains have been discovered and the Romans also populated the village. A popular place when gold was discovered in the river bed and the small village even houses a castle owned by the Knights Templar.
If the history of the area is not enough to intrigue, the fossils certainly will, as Penha Garcia is known for its well preserved ‘Painted snakes’, trace fossils of invertebrates. This area is part of UNESCOS World Geoparks Network which recognises sites of important Earth History. The canyon below the village is an amazing place for wild swimming in the river and walking around the village’s fossil discovery trail.
Oh I love Portugal!
Looks like a wonderful holiday!
Louise recently posted…My Sunday Photo – 30.07
Thanks, isn’t it a lovely country
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
The Tank shot reminds us of an event we used to attend called War&Peace in Kent. Lovely piccys #MySundayPhoto x
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Thanks, glad you like the pictures. Kent is great for military events, we went to the ‘salute to the 40’s’ show in Kent
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
Fossils and wild swimming, it looks wonderful.
thanks, luckily the giant trilobite creatures found in the fossils are not still in the water!
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
Lovely pictures and I love how your post teaches me something too
Wild swimming in such a beautiful area appeals greatly! Was that a fossil pictured there or s a sculpture, I wasn’t 100% sure? Take it the tank is something to do with the 1975 revolution? #MySundayPhoto
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Thanks, its a fossil! Lots of creatures (resembling giant woodlice) are found here, plus the trace fossils which show the creatures behaviour
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
Good spot John, 70’s tank
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
It looks a wonderful place to explore.
Thank you for linking up
darren coleshill recently posted…#MySundayPhoto – Millennium Green
Thanks for hosting, we will go back with the camera one day
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
Beautiful geography, ancient history – sounds like this place has it all.
lovely place, fantastic for any geologists
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
Sounds like amazing history. Romans got everywhere didn’t they? Wonder what the knights Templar did there?
Notmyyearoff recently posted…School holidays, work and all the juggling
The Romans were amazing, there was lots of Templar activity in the area, nearby Monsanto and the Templar headquarters in Tomar
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal
That looks like a brilliant place to explore, no matter what your age. The painted snakes are amazing (if a little creepy). #MySundayPhoto
Tara recently posted…My Sunday Photo – July 30th, 2017.
The creatures found fossilised in this area are some of the biggest examples found! Nice place to explore, the views into the canyon from high up in the village were really great.
Topsy Turvy Tribe recently posted…Penha Garcia, Portugal