About Aguiar da Beira

Aguiar da Beira is a municipality in Portugal. The town is situated in the district of Guarda. The population in 2011 was 11,258, in an area of 402.57 km². The municipality is bordered by Seia to the north, Manteigas to the south, Oliveira do Hospital to the east, and Sabugal to the west. The origin of the name "Aguiar" is derived from the Latin "aquarium", meaning "place full of water". "Beira" is Portuguese for "edge" or "border". "Guarda" comes from the Latin "guardare", meaning "to watch or protect". The first recorded mention of Aguiar da Beira dates back to 1258. In 1316, King Dinis of Portugal granted a charter to the village. During the Middle Ages, Aguiar da Beira was a place of strategic importance, due to its location on the border between Portugal and the Kingdom of Leon in Spain. The town suffered greatly during the Portuguese Civil War (1828-1834). In 1832, Aguiar da Beira was the site of a battle between the Liberal and Absolutist forces. The town was almost completely destroyed, and many of its inhabitants were killed. After the war, Aguiar da Beira slowly began to rebuild. The town's castle was reconstructed, and new churches and monasteries were built. In the 20th century, Aguiar da Beira became an important center for textile production. Today, Aguiar da Beira is a thriving community. The town is home to several schools, a hospital, and a library. Aguiar da Beira is also a popular tourist destination, due to its beautiful scenery and rich history.