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Ferreira do Zêzere
is a town situated in
central Portugal
from which
Castelo do Bode lake
(Portugal's second largest reservoir) is easy to access.
This proximity to the lake is possibly the key to the
town's popularity as aside from this there is little
else to define the town in terms of history, scenic
beauty or amenities.
Located
only around 153 kilometres north of Portugal's capital,
Lisbon,
Ferreira do Zêzere is also a district incorporating a
number of villages over an area over over 190 square
kilometres. There are nine parishes in the district of
Ferreira do Zêzere. The districts are Aguas Belas,
Areias, Beco, Chãos,
Dornes,
Ferreira do Zêzere, Igreja Nova do Sobral, Paio Mendes
and Pias.
The
town, which holds a popular market once a week, was
founded in the 13th century by Pedro Ferreira, whom
which the conurbation is named after. Literally
translated the Ferreira of the River Zêzere. Aside from
it's pretty pedestrianised town square,
Ferreira do Zêzere is like most other Portuguese towns of a similar
size with the regulatory amount of cafe bars in situ,
restaurants and banks and small town shops ranging which
sell anything between hand crafted jewellery to
children's clothes.
However
access to
Castelo do Bode lake or
Lago Azul (Blue
Lake) as it is called by all
Ferreireans is only seven kilometres
from the town centre. In fact there is actually an area
named Lago Azul, which is nothing more than several
houses, a marina, cafe and hotel, but is a location
which has superb views and access to the lake itself.
Although
it is a popular location for all tourists to head to
many - due to the inaccessibility of the mountainous
roads on a dark night and lack of choice of eateries -
mean this fantastic area is overlooked for visitors a
second time round. |
