Guarda

The Gothic cathedral, D. Sancho I on his pedestal, and the mountains behind. A Guarda tile made to order in Porto. Three sizes from 20 EUR.

The Sé da Guarda in carved stone, all pinnacles and buttresses, with a pointed doorway at the top of the steps and a bell tower off to the right. In front of it stands D. Sancho I, crowned, one hand on his sword, on a pedestal carrying his name. He gave Guarda its city charter in 1199, and the city put him in bronze outside its cathedral. Behind them, the mountains. Guarda sits higher than any other city in Portugal, on the edge of the Serra da Estrela.

Fado Gato sits on the kerb at the foot of the pedestal, looking up at the king. He does not seem impressed by the crown.