Designated in 1982

Located in Coimbra district, this protected area is a unique mountain landscape, featuring a vast number of floral species. Its lowest altitude is 400 m and the highest point is 1016 m. The Margaraça woods, one of the few natural areas of relict vegetation on the schist slopes of central Portugal, are a part of this area. The botanical importance and diversity of this area are shown by the forests of common oak Quercus robur, where species like English holly Ilex aquifolium co-exist with laurel Laurus nobilis, strawberry tree Arbutus unedo, Portugal laurel Prunus lusitanica, cherry-plum Prunus cerasus, wild cherry Prunus avium and hazel Corylus avellana. Among the most characteristic plant species are the Martagon lily Lilium martagon, Solomon’s seal Polygonatum odoratum, the orchids Cephalanthera longifolia and Orchis mascula, and the daffodil Narcissus triandrus. The most notable animal species are the goshawk Accipiter gentilis, symbol of the protected area, the gold-striped salamander Chioglossa lusitanica and Schreiber’s green lizard Lacerta schreiberi.
The human presence dates from the Chalcolithic (the burial site at Moinhos de Vento) and there are also relics from the Roman period (military camp). In the Margaraça woods there are buildings reconstructed using the traditional schist architecture. On the boundaries of the Protected Landscape, one can find a watermill, the Information and Interpretation Centre, in the Casa Grande, and a museum of daily rural activities at Casa da Eira. On the outskirts of the region are Piódão village with its schist buildings and the 13th-century church of São Pedro in Arganil.