The locality of Fernão Joanes, in the municipality of Guarda, will hold the Transhumance Festival this weekend, which celebrates one of the most remarkable pastoral traditions of Serra da Estrela: the seasonal movement of flocks to the mountain pastures. Organized since 2006 by the Cultural and Recreational Association of Fernão Joanes, with the support of the Local Parish Council and the municipality of Guarda, this festival is considered the first in Portugal dedicated to this traditional practice. The event is a tribute to the shepherds of the locality and their way of life, valuing an intangible cultural heritage deeply rooted in the region.
On Saturday, activities include a walk with music, demonstration and tasting of traditional bread, as well as various workshops on shearing, cheese, loom weaving and blanket making. At 6:00 PM, the gastronomic challenge "Villages at the table with lamb" takes place, where six neighboring villages – Corujeira, Trinta, Videmonte, Meios, Vale de Estrela and Famalicão da Serra – will prepare lamb dishes for dinner. In the evening, participants can experience the "Hotel a thousand stars – A night with the shepherd", camping in huts, ancient shepherd's shelters at the top of the mountain.
On Sunday, the seventh stage of the Grande Rota da Transumância (Great Route of Transhumance) takes place, a walk of about five kilometers accompanied by a flock with around a thousand sheep and goats led by shepherd António Duarte. The march takes place between "André's cortelha" and the village center, recreating the tradition of seasonal movement of flocks. At 11:00 AM, a mass is held in honor of the shepherds and, throughout the two days, there are also musical performances by various groups and spaces selling traditional products.
The Transhumance Festival is currently part of the annual events calendar of the Grande Rota da Transhumância, a tourism animation project of PROVERE iNature & Center Geoparks, co-financed by the Central Regional Operational Program – CENTRO2030. Since 2006, the event has been held every year, except during the Covid-19 pandemic period.
