Miranda do Corvo

Miranda do Corvo had a Mediaeval Castle proving that it had strategic importance and, as far as we know, it dates at least from 1116. Today, only the Bell Tower on Monte do Calvário is still standing.The people from Semide listened to the bells of the Benedictine Monastery of Santa Maria signing the daybreak.  But the nuns, who lived there since 1183, saw the destruction of their convent by a fire in 1664.  Only thirty three years later would the life of St. Benedict be painted on the ceiling of the main altar of the new church and the saints of his Order represented on the wall of the choir.The 18th century organ is grandiose.  In the chapter or in the eastern aisle of the cloister, many of the nuns, who have made the history of this convent, now rest in peace.The singing and the praying was not the only occupation of  these nuns.  With great creativity and  a wise mix of turnips, almonds and sugar, they made the “Nabadas of Semide”.A short distance by road separates Semide from  Senhor da Serra.  In the Sanctuary, the popular devotion is expressed in simple vows and the soul can grow because the horizons are wide: on the Northwest we have Coimbra. On the east the outline of the Lousã Mountain is visible from early in the morning. Next, we should go to the Lousã Mountain.  Climbing all the way to Gondramaz, we must stop on the way to see the Chapel of Senhora da Piedade of Tábuas, which has become an important place of worship since the second half of the 16th century. On the way up to Gondramaz we need to know how to find the innocent severity of the images of Our Lady of Expectations, Virgins and Child, or St. Peters, holders of the keys to heaven, all of them created by the hands of a stone-mason. There is no great decoration in these pieces. The stone is turned into simple but grandiose forms, as if they have always been there. In Miranda do Corvo, one also finds beautiful crochet work and embroidery work in Semide and red clay pottery in Carapinhal. Regarding the food, Miranda do Corvo is the place where one has to return. The famous “Chanfana”, made with old goat is miraculously succulent.  The soup of the Chanfana is definitely a sign of the economy of the mountain : bread and vegetables are added to the sauce of the “chanfana”,  resulting in a hot delicious meal with the taste of the ancient Beira.