Guarda, Portugal

Guarda (Portuguese pronunciation: [ˈɡwaɾðɐ] ^ⓘ) is a city and a municipality in the District of Guarda and the capital of the Beiras e Serra da Estrela sub-region in central Portugal. The population in 2021 was 40,126, in an area of 712.10 square kilometres (274.94 sq mi) with 31,224 inhabitants in the city proper in 2006. Founded by King Sancho I in 1199, Guarda is the city located at the highest altitude in Portugal (1,056 m (3,465 ft) a.s.l.) and one of the most important cities in the Portuguese region of Beira Alta. Serra da Estrela, the highest mountain range in continental Portugal, is partially located in the district. The city is served by national and international trains on the Beira Alta and Baixa railway lines. The present mayor is Sérgio Costa, as an independent. The municipal holiday is November 27.

Guarda is known as the "city of the five F's": Farta, Forte, Fria, Fiel e Formosa - abundant (or totally satisfied), strong, cold, loyal and beautiful. The explanation of the five F's is as follows:

• Farta (abundant), due to the fertility of the lands of the Mondego River valley;
• Forte (strong), because the castle tower, the walls and its geographical location demonstrate its strength;
• Fria (cold), due to its proximity to Serra da Estrela;
• Fiel (loyal), because the Captain General of the Castle Guard, Álvaro Gil Cabral, Pedro Álvares Cabral's great-great-grandfather, refused to hand over the keys to the city to the King of Castile during the Crisis of 1383-1385 and still had the strength to participate in the Battle of Aljubarrota;
• Formosa (beautiful), for the natural beauty of the urban nucleus.