Category: Nature > Waterfall
District: Guarda > Seia > Cabeça
Poço da Broca is located in the village of Cabeça, in the municipality of Seia, nestled in the Ribeira de Alvôco valley. This natural point of interest, close to the grandeur of Serra da Estrela, offers a serene mountain environment with dense vegetation. Its position in the southwest of the Serra da Estrela Natural Park provides an atmosphere of tranquility and close contact with the region's pure nature.
The name "Poço da Broca" owes its origin to a significant human intervention that shaped this place approximately two centuries ago. With the aim of optimizing agricultural land in the region, characterized by schist soils and the winding course of the stream, the inhabitants of the time diverted the original water flow. They used tools, which today we might compare to drills, to cut the schist and create a new riverbed. This ingenious alteration resulted not only in flatter and easily irrigable cultivation areas, but also in the creation of the imposing waterfall and the deep pool that currently define the landscape. Nearby, an old schist watermill can still be observed, a silent reminder of the rural life that thrived with the aid of these waters.
The waters that feed Poço da Broca are remarkably pure and clear, reflecting their origin in the springs of Serra da Estrela. The main waterfall, with its significant drop, produces a continuous and immersive sound that fills the valley as the water plunges into a natural pool of crystal-clear waters. The environment boasts remarkable green exuberance, with humidity fostering dense vegetation along the banks and on the schist rock formations. Visitors may be fortunate enough to observe local wildlife, such as fish swimming in the transparent waters, various amphibian species, birds like the kingfisher and the dipper, or even the elusive otter. It is a vibrant ecosystem where nature manifests in all its diversity.
Visiting Poço da Broca is to immerse oneself in an environment of profound peace and timeless beauty. The waterfalls and natural pools invite moments of refreshing relaxation, especially on warmer days. The possibility of exploring the stream upstream allows visitors to discover other serene and equally crystalline water spots, reinforcing the sensation of being in a place of great natural purity. This location offers a genuine experience of connection with the environment, where the sound of water and the green landscape dominate the senses, creating an atmosphere that encourages contemplation and relaxation.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.2925755,-7.7538862
Coordinates DMS: 40°17'33.3"N 07°45'14.0"W
Weather Cabeça
On-duty Pharmacy Cabeça
