Home / Naturtejo UNESCO Global Geopark / Monsanto Granite Inselberg, Monsanto
Monsanto Granite Inselberg, Monsanto
From the Surface of the Castelo Branco Plain rise extraordinary the Inselberg granites of Monsanto-Moreirinha-Alegrios, like an archipelago of granite. These geological formations, hills which abruptly emerge from the surface, stand out like "island-hills." The origin of these is in the magma embedded in the Earth´s interior, which approximately 310 million years ago was exposed due to tectonic rising processes and climatic changes, and the removal of the weathered covering. In parallel the intense erosion sculpted these varied geoforms, including the unorganised chaos of blocks, polygonal fissures, sinks, tafoni or pillared blocks. The abundance and diversity of granite blocks characterised the connection between the population and the stone, thus associating the stone giants with local mythology and using them in everyday life, as a resource. This geomonument is one of the ex-libris of the Naturtejo Geopark. It is possible to see the entire Inselberg from any surrounding point, especially from the Idanha-a-Velha - Carroqueiro road, from where a panoramic view of the imposing geological feature can be observed. In Monsanto, in the Baluarte Lookout Point, and at the geodesic vertex of the castle, some aspects of granite morphologies, the Moeirinha and Alegrios Inselbergs, as well as the surrounding landscape, can be observed. In order to comprehend the complete dynamics of granite alteration and the formation of the geological reliefs, the recommendation is to follow the Barroque Route which runs along the Monsanto Inselberg from the base to the top, through trails up the middle, and underneath the granite blocks.
CHARACTERISTICS
LOCATION
Address: -
City: Monsanto
Postal Code: 0 - 000
Telephone: 272320176
Email: geral@naturtejo.com
Website: http://www.naturtejo.com
City: Monsanto
Postal Code: 0 - 000
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 cannot be done individually.
Specific Conditions:
-
Method:
-
Difficulty Level:
Average
Group Visits:
No
Guided Tours:
No
Observations:
Through advance scheduled reservations.
Specific Conditions:
-
Method:
-
Difficulty Level:
Average
Group Visits:
No
Guided Tours:
No
Observations:
Through advance scheduled reservations.
EXISTING EQUIPMENT
Geological curiosity
GEOLOGICAL / MINING INTEREST
History Patrimony:
-
Activity Program:
-
Study and Research Unit:
-
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
Leaflet Geology in Action Summer 2008
Volunteering Programs:
-
-
Activity Program:
-
Study and Research Unit:
-
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
Leaflet Geology in Action Summer 2008
Volunteering Programs:
-
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE
Activity Description:
Educational programs in the Geopark Naturtejo are available in www.naturtejo.com. The Program "In the granite Monte-Ilha of Monsanto" the students start the Barrocais Route in Monsanto, the village that is the most portuguese of all, to reach the top of the granite Monte-Ilha, where they can observe the variety of granite shapes from this particular landscape. In the templar Castle of Monsanto an 360º overview. In the village centre, the old houses built with huge granite blocks are impressive. The route goes down to the base of the Inselberg. 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 granite Monte-Ilha of Monsanto" the students start the Barrocais Route in Monsanto, the village that is the most portuguese of all, to reach the top of the granite Monte-Ilha, where they can observe the variety of granite shapes from this particular landscape. In the templar Castle of Monsanto an 360º overview. In the village centre, the old houses built with huge granite blocks are impressive. The route goes down to the base of the Inselberg. 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 Stay
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/turismo/entidades_hoteleiras.html
Where to Eat
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/turismo/entidades_hoteleiras.html
Security Forces
http://www.portaldasaude.pt/portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=387
Security Forces
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/cultura/centro_cult_raiano/centro_cult_raiano.html
http://www.turismodocentro.pt/guiaalojamento.pdf
Where to Stay
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/turismo/entidades_hoteleiras.html
Where to Eat
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/turismo/entidades_hoteleiras.html
Security Forces
http://www.portaldasaude.pt/portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=387
Security Forces
http://www.cm-idanhanova.pt/cultura/centro_cult_raiano/centro_cult_raiano.html
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 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 aAldeias 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: 15km
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: 14km
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 aAldeias 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: 15km
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: 14km
ASSOCIATED ROUTES
SUGGESTIONS OF THE ROUTE- OTHER NEARBY PLACES TO VISIT