Rise to see the Serra da Estrela

Wednesday, 29 September 2010 00:00

Brancal Manuel, owner of the spa hotel and playful H2otel in Unhais Sierra, Covilhã, is preparing a project to build a cable car to link the town to the Serra da Estrela. The project is a partnership with the Chamber of Covilhã and a Swiss company, whose studies "are already underway," said the businessman, adding that "now it is a matter of money."   The project involves the creation of a cable car from the hotel, which cuts across the valley of Unhais, a distance of six miles, to the area of Penhas Health, providing new access to the highest mountain in mainland Portugal. The H2otel is an investment of 15 million by the Brancal Manuel Real Estate Group, designed by architect Jorge Palma, and open since late 2008 with 90 rooms and four stars.  The first lift in the Serra da Estrela began its building in the 60s, but the project was cancelled in the next decade for alleged lack of security. Two buildings, two giant towers and cables supporting the cabins were abandoned for 30 years, between Tower and Piornos, and dismantling the structure started in 1999.