Jarmelo São Pedro

Main Points of Interest: Jarmelo Hillfort: Located at the top of Cerro do Jarmelo, which stands out over the relatively plain surrounding land, from the Jarmelo Hillfort you can see a wide area from Serra da Marofa to Cabeço das Fráguas as well as from the eastern slopes of Serra da Estrela to the Spanish borderlands.The strategic nature of its location was probably one of the most important factors in the settlement of human communities here. Its earliest occupation may date back to the Iron Age. However, it was during the Middle Ages that it gained recognition, as it became the county seat of the famous municipality of Jarmelo, which would only be extinguished in 1855 under the ‘rounding up of municipalities’ process, which ended with the extinction of about 300 ancient municipalities dating back to the Middle Ages.The most prominent aspect of Castro do Jarmelo is the line of walls surrounding it, which is still in place at the top of the hill. Made of masonry, it has an oval plan in which three gates have been cut out, to the east, south and east. As elsewhere, these walls had an eminently defensive function, protecting and sheltering the residents for centuries, as well as the inhabitants of the nearby farms and villages. In fact, in the wide yards outside the gates facing south and west, important suburbs would emerge, where the two parish churches still stand, São Pedro with its isolated bell tower and São Miguel, as well as the old, rare and well-preserved town hall building.Jarmelo Contest Fair: The first weekend of June is the yearly contest fair which promotes the Jarmelista breed, the native bovine species of this area. In addition to the event, there is also a market with street vendors selling local products and handicrafts.Shearing scissors: With a long tradition of blacksmiths over the centuries, the village of Donfins is currently where the last shearing scissors are produced by Mateus Miragaia. This unique, handmade technique is on the verge of disappearing.The parish of Jarmelo de São Pedro includes the adjoining communities of Granja, Pereira, Almeidinha, Devesa, Urgueira, Donfins, Ima, Gagos and Monteiros.