Home / Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark / Ichnological Park of Penha Garcia, Penha Garcia
Ichnological Park of Penha Garcia, Penha Garcia
The Ichnological Park of Penha Garcia is one of the ex-libris of the Naturtejo Geopark and its geological history dates back 480 million years, when the region was covered by a shallow ocean, full of life, on the margin of the supercontinent Gondwana. Today, a sequence of these sea beds in vertical layers is visible, built by the intense deformation of Variscan origin. These layers are filled with fantastic remains of trilobite activities (Cruziana) and other beings, some of gigantic proportions. Penha Garcia is an excellent location from which to observe ichnofossils (marks from the activities of living things) which are abundant here and are in good states of conservation. The best points for general observation of the geomonument are the Igreja Lookout, the Penha Garcia Castle, the Dam, and the access way to Pego. For a detailed visit, the foot path "Fossil Route" is suggested. It follows the geological evolution in a single landscape, from the ocean to the mountains, including the history of the people and the culture rooted in Nature.
CHARACTERISTICS
LOCATION
Address: -
City: Penha Garcia
Postal Code: 6060 - 307
Telephone: 272320176
Email: geral@naturtejo.com
Website: http://www.naturtejo.com
City: Penha Garcia
Postal Code: 6060 - 307
Telephone: 272320176
Email: geral@naturtejo.com
Website: http://www.naturtejo.com
FUNCTIONING
Public venue, with no timetable or entrance fee.
ORGANISATION OF THE VISIT
The visit to this Point does not require prior booking and can be done individually.
Specific Conditions:
Guided tours by specialised technicians from the Geopark Naturtejo are paid for in accordance with the number of participants.
Method:
On foot
Difficulty Level:
Average
Group Visits:
Yes
Minimum Number of Person per group:
2
Maximum Number of Person per group:
0
Observations:
Through advance scheduled reservations.
Guided Tours:
Yes
Observations:
Through advance scheduled reservations.
Specific Conditions:
Guided tours by specialised technicians from the Geopark Naturtejo are paid for in accordance with the number of participants.
Method:
On foot
Difficulty Level:
Average
Group Visits:
Yes
Minimum Number of Person per group:
2
Maximum Number of Person per group:
0
Observations:
Through advance scheduled reservations.
Guided Tours:
Yes
Observations:
Through advance scheduled reservations.
EXISTING EQUIPMENT
Geological curiosity
GEOLOGICAL / MINING INTEREST
History Patrimony:
-
Activity Program:
-
Study and Research Unit:
Neto de Carvalho, C. (2006) - Roller coaster behaviour in the Cruziana rugosa group from Penha Garcia (Portugal): implications for the feeding program of Trilobites. Ichnos, 13 (4): 255-265.
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
Brochure: "The Ichnological Park of Penha Garcia"
Volunteering Programs:
-
-
Activity Program:
-
Study and Research Unit:
Neto de Carvalho, C. (2006) - Roller coaster behaviour in the Cruziana rugosa group from Penha Garcia (Portugal): implications for the feeding program of Trilobites. Ichnos, 13 (4): 255-265.
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
Brochure: "The Ichnological Park of Penha Garcia"
Volunteering Programs:
-
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE
Activity Description:
Educational programs in the Geopark Naturtejo are available in www.naturtejo.com. The Program "In the Fossil Route of Penha Garcia, searching of traces of trilobites (Cruziana)" it is a journey back in time, 480 Ma. Students can visit the temporary exhibition " The world of trilobites of Sam Gon III" in the Paleozoic Museum. From the Castle lookout, it´s possible to analyse countless ichnofossils produced by Trilobites, called Cruziana, magnificently exposed in the quartzite cliffs of the canyon the river Ponsul, enter the "House of Fossils" and visit the mill rotation. For students of Secondary school level and higher there is the Program "The fossils of Penha Garcia and the Barrocais de Monsanto" that combines the Fossils' Route with the Inselberg de Monsanto.
Target Audience:
Teachers and students from all levels of education
Activity Cost:
3.5€
Weekly Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Exceptions:
Educational programs in the Geopark Naturtejo booked in advance in: programas_educativos@naturtejo.com. Minimum fee 3,5 €. The price varies with the optional choice of sports activities in nature.
Observations:
The approach to teaching content, adapted to various levels of education, is performed by Geopark Naturtejo’s monitors that present the scientific-pedagogical education qualification in the field of Geosciences.
Educational programs in the Geopark Naturtejo are available in www.naturtejo.com. The Program "In the Fossil Route of Penha Garcia, searching of traces of trilobites (Cruziana)" it is a journey back in time, 480 Ma. Students can visit the temporary exhibition " The world of trilobites of Sam Gon III" in the Paleozoic Museum. From the Castle lookout, it´s possible to analyse countless ichnofossils produced by Trilobites, called Cruziana, magnificently exposed in the quartzite cliffs of the canyon the river Ponsul, enter the "House of Fossils" and visit the mill rotation. For students of Secondary school level and higher there is the Program "The fossils of Penha Garcia and the Barrocais de Monsanto" that combines the Fossils' Route with the Inselberg de Monsanto.
Target Audience:
Teachers and students from all levels of education
Activity Cost:
3.5€
Weekly Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
From 00:00:00 to 00:00:00.
Exceptions:
Educational programs in the Geopark Naturtejo booked in advance in: programas_educativos@naturtejo.com. Minimum fee 3,5 €. The price varies with the optional choice of sports activities in nature.
Observations:
The approach to teaching content, adapted to various levels of education, is performed by Geopark Naturtejo’s monitors that present the scientific-pedagogical education qualification in the field of Geosciences.
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
Where to Stay
http://www.turismodocentro.pt/guiaalojamento.pdf
Where to Eat
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/turismo/entidades_hoteleiras.html
Cultural Facilities
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/cultura/centro_cult_raiano/centro_cult_raiano.html
Security Forces
http://www.portaldasaude.pt/portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=387
http://www.turismodocentro.pt/guiaalojamento.pdf
Where to Eat
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/turismo/entidades_hoteleiras.html
Cultural Facilities
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/cultura/centro_cult_raiano/centro_cult_raiano.html
Security Forces
http://www.portaldasaude.pt/portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=387
TRANSPORT
Type of Transport:
T. Rodoviário
Agency Name:
Rodoviária da Beira Interior
Telephone Number:
272340120
Parking for private vehicles:
Yes
T. Rodoviário
Agency Name:
Rodoviária da Beira Interior
Telephone Number:
272340120
Parking for private vehicles:
Yes
SITES OF TOURISTIC INTEREST
Aldeia Histórica de Monsanto
A aldeia de Monsanto proporciona uma experiência única para quem por ela passa. Ergue-se no alto da colina, descendo por estreitas e sinuosas ruas até ao sopé do monte. Para além das esplendorosas casas de granito e xisto destacam-se como atrativos turísticos a Igreja da Misericórdia, a Torre do Relógio, o Castelo, entre outros.
gps: 40.0387 -7.1156
distance: 11km
Lagares de Proença-a-Velha
Este complexo é um notável exemplo da síntese arquitetónica e funcional onde se concentram aspetos relacionados com o trabalho das unidades latifundiárias. Incorpora dois lagares de azeite, uma palheira que funciona como espaço de exposição, área para workshops e ateliers, entre outros. Realiza visitas guiadas e certames de divulgação de tradições e produtos locais.
gps: 40.02507 -7.23979
distance: 21km
Aldeia Histórica de Idanha-a-Velha
Fundada pelos romanos no final do século I a.C., é uma aldeia tipicamente beirã, cheia de tradição e testemunhos históricos. O isolamento a que foi sujeita permitiu-lhe preservar muitos dos seus pontos de interesse, entrando assim para o grupo restrito das aldeias históricas de Portugal. A sua preservação e requalificação torna-a num ponto de passagem obrigatório por quem visita a região.
gps: 39.99664 -7.14382
distance: 22km
A aldeia de Monsanto proporciona uma experiência única para quem por ela passa. Ergue-se no alto da colina, descendo por estreitas e sinuosas ruas até ao sopé do monte. Para além das esplendorosas casas de granito e xisto destacam-se como atrativos turísticos a Igreja da Misericórdia, a Torre do Relógio, o Castelo, entre outros.
gps: 40.0387 -7.1156
distance: 11km
Lagares de Proença-a-Velha
Este complexo é um notável exemplo da síntese arquitetónica e funcional onde se concentram aspetos relacionados com o trabalho das unidades latifundiárias. Incorpora dois lagares de azeite, uma palheira que funciona como espaço de exposição, área para workshops e ateliers, entre outros. Realiza visitas guiadas e certames de divulgação de tradições e produtos locais.
gps: 40.02507 -7.23979
distance: 21km
Aldeia Histórica de Idanha-a-Velha
Fundada pelos romanos no final do século I a.C., é uma aldeia tipicamente beirã, cheia de tradição e testemunhos históricos. O isolamento a que foi sujeita permitiu-lhe preservar muitos dos seus pontos de interesse, entrando assim para o grupo restrito das aldeias históricas de Portugal. A sua preservação e requalificação torna-a num ponto de passagem obrigatório por quem visita a região.
gps: 39.99664 -7.14382
distance: 22km
ASSOCIATED ROUTES
Geoparks in Portugal
Geoparks in Portugal UNESCO World Geoparks are territories with locations and landscapes of international geological importance, which combine the protection and promotion of its heritage with sustainable development. They are unique places where the oldest memories are millions of years old and include key locations that testify to the evolution of our planet. These territories are classified by UNESCO under the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program. Spread across all continents, geoparks are much more than areas of heritage relevance. They are dynamic territories of which local communities are part, where nature, history and culture are intertwined. There are currently 5 UNESCO World Geoparks in Portugal: Naturtejo (2006), Arouca (2009), Azores (2012), Terras de Cavaleiros (2014) and Estrela (2020). The Geopark on the coast of Viana do Castelo is preparing the future application, but its level of implementation in the territory, namely the educational offer it already develops, led to its inclusion in the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES, naturally without the status that UNESCO gives to the remaining territories. On the other hand, new applications are being developed, with several projects in the Oeste, Algarve and Figueira da Foz, which in due time may have their presence on this platform. To visit Portuguese geoparks is to embark on a journey that began 600 million years ago, when Portugal occupied a very different place on the globe, going through incredible episodes of formation and destruction of mountains and seas, of the appearance and extinction of species, of the occurrence of deep climate change, major volcanic eruptions ... until today in the relationship between man and the planet On this GUIDE the visitor will find a proposed itinerary to visit the most significant points in each national geopark, including, of course, the one located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Take a "good trip" on the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES and discover the interesting places we introduce you throughout the country.
Geoparks in Portugal UNESCO World Geoparks are territories with locations and landscapes of international geological importance, which combine the protection and promotion of its heritage with sustainable development. They are unique places where the oldest memories are millions of years old and include key locations that testify to the evolution of our planet. These territories are classified by UNESCO under the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program. Spread across all continents, geoparks are much more than areas of heritage relevance. They are dynamic territories of which local communities are part, where nature, history and culture are intertwined. There are currently 5 UNESCO World Geoparks in Portugal: Naturtejo (2006), Arouca (2009), Azores (2012), Terras de Cavaleiros (2014) and Estrela (2020). The Geopark on the coast of Viana do Castelo is preparing the future application, but its level of implementation in the territory, namely the educational offer it already develops, led to its inclusion in the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES, naturally without the status that UNESCO gives to the remaining territories. On the other hand, new applications are being developed, with several projects in the Oeste, Algarve and Figueira da Foz, which in due time may have their presence on this platform. To visit Portuguese geoparks is to embark on a journey that began 600 million years ago, when Portugal occupied a very different place on the globe, going through incredible episodes of formation and destruction of mountains and seas, of the appearance and extinction of species, of the occurrence of deep climate change, major volcanic eruptions ... until today in the relationship between man and the planet On this GUIDE the visitor will find a proposed itinerary to visit the most significant points in each national geopark, including, of course, the one located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Take a "good trip" on the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES and discover the interesting places we introduce you throughout the country.
SUGGESTIONS OF THE ROUTE- OTHER NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT