The thrill of witnessing nature at its most natural and experiencing the adventure of being close to wildlife is not limited to the regions of Antarctica or Africa alone. Instead of visiting those far-flung places, you can test your strength and love of nature in the remote mountainous region of Braganca, located at the extreme northeast point of Portugal. Its distance and harsh climate have been obstacles to modern development and have caused many of its people to emigrate.

However, such rough conditions have been a blessing for rare species and other wild animals such as golden eagles, otters, wolves, wild boars, and falcons. Around 70,000 hectares of land that extend across Braganca and the Spanish border is protected and designated as the Montensinho Natural Park. The park is also home to the few remaining hardy locals who choose to stay in their small villages and medieval stone houses to preserve their medieval traditions and crafts.

Aside from the its magnificent wildlife and natural beauty, Braganca also has cultural attractions and historic sites to offer.

Towering over the town is the huge castle of Brigantia built in 1187 by King Sancho I and subsequently fortified by Jaoo I. Located in the middle of the castle’s four towers is the castle keep or Torre de Menagem, from which you can view the Montensinho Natural Park. Also within the keep is Braganca’s Military Museum, which exhibits pieces from the Spanish-Napoleonic wars.

Tourists are astonished as they realize that real people still live in the castle. Aside from preserving their traditional homes, the people of Braganca have also built new souvenir and pastry shops.

This roughly pentagonal 12th century structure is important to the Iberian Peninsula as it is the only remaining Romanesque civic architecture in the country. The Domus Municipalis used to be the braganca’s town hall. Adjacent to it is also the lovely Santa Maria church that was built during the 18th century.

Braganca is wild and beautiful. It is not for those who fear nature and who cannot live without the luxuries of modern living. Braganca is for the new breed of men and women who are passionate about nature. It is for those who are deeply interested in learning about a people who have kept their traditions and lived harmoniously with nature for centuries.

So do you have what it takes to organize an eco-cultural tour of Braganca?