Montejunto Mountain Range

Category: Nature > Mountain Range

District: Lisboa > Cadaval > Arieiro

Location

The Serra de Montejunto is a landmark in Portugal's Western region, located in the district of Lisbon. It rises in the municipality of Cadaval, specifically in the locality of Arieiro, and also extends into the municipality of Alenquer. It is recognized as the highest natural viewpoint in Estremadura, reaching an altitude of 666 meters. Its position, between the coast and the Tagus valley, gives it a distinctive landscape and wide views over the surroundings.

Due to its location and exposure to Atlantic winds, the mountain range has a particular microclimate. Its north and northwest slopes are colder and more humid, while those to the southeast are hot and dry. This climatic duality contributes to the richness of its ecosystems.

Geology and Landscape

The Serra de Montejunto is an integral part of the Estremenho Limestone Massif, with its composition being predominantly calcareous. This rock has shaped the landscape over millions of years, resulting in remarkable karstic formations. It is possible to observe a variety of geological features, such as sinkholes and caves, formed by water erosion that infiltrates through cracks and faults. The mountain range also features steep and deep valleys, small plains and depressions, as well as imposing rock formations and cliffs that mark its silhouette.

This set of formations gives the mountain range a rugged and visually interesting topography, where the presence of limestone is visible in every rock outcrop. The landscape is a testament to the geological dynamics that created it.

Protected Biodiversity

Classified as a Protected Landscape, the Serra de Montejunto is a place of great natural value, functioning as a true island of biodiversity. The richness of its flora is remarkable, with over 400 identified plant species, including endemics specific to calcareous soils. Remains of oak forests and a Mediterranean forest can be found here, complemented by a shrubland where rosemary stands out. Orchids of various species and rare plants such as Arabis sadina and Silene longicilia enrich the plant landscape.

The fauna of the mountain range is equally diverse. It is an area of great importance for several species of bats, which find shelters here for hibernation and reproduction. Among the birds, raptor species and some rarities stand out, such as the Alpine swift, known to be the largest in Europe, and the small firecrest. Mammals such as the fox, badger, and genet also inhabit this territory, contributing to the balance of the ecosystem.

A Unique Historical Legacy

At the top of Serra de Montejunto, at about 600 meters of altitude, stand the ruins of the Royal Ice Factory, a National Monument dating back to the 18th century. This factory is a testament to human ingenuity in meeting the needs of the time. For approximately 120 years, ice was produced here, taking advantage of the low temperatures of the mountain winter. The ice was stored in underground silos and, in spring and summer, transported down the mountain to the Tagus River, to then supply the court and cafes of Lisbon.

The factory's history reveals a period of arduous work, with the "ice gatherers" collecting and packing the ice in extreme conditions. Its operation ceased in the mid-19th century, with the invention of the refrigerator, marking the end of an era. In addition to the factory, the mountain range also holds traces of two ancient convents, a 12th-century Dominican one, and evidence of prehistoric human occupation, with necropolises and fossils that tell the long history of this place.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt