On the slopes of the Serra da Estrela: Seia

1 brewery · 1 venue

Seia lies on the western slope of the Serra da Estrela. According to the council, the ancient Oppidum Sena, today's Seia, was founded about 2,400 years ago by the Turduli, a pre-Roman people, and dolmens, rock-cut graves, old paths and bridges across the municipality show a long human presence. The area has Roman remains and went through a long period of Arab rule before Ferdinand the Great, King of León and Castile, conquered it for good in 1055. He is said to have ordered a castle built in the centre, where the parish church now stands; of that probable building only the hill remains, now covered by houses along narrow, winding streets leading up to the highest point. In 1132 Afonso Henriques, still a prince, granted the lands of Seia to his favourite João Viegas, and in 1136 he gave Seia its first charter, calling it Civitatem Senam, the city of Seia; the municipality took shape from then on. Further charters followed from Afonso II in 1217, Afonso V in 1479 and finally Manuel I in 1510. In the 19th century the municipality grew greatly as several neighbouring municipalities, among them Loriga, São Romão and Alvoco da Serra, were merged into it. Seia became a city on 3 July 1986, now the municipal holiday. The council describes it as a land of traditions, with a history in the textile industry, in its cooking and in Serra da Estrela cheese.

Craft beer in Seia is still a rare find, so it is worth asking locally before you set out.