Cov̮̣o d'Ametade used to be a place where deer grazed. It is a hollow of glacial origin with river banks lined by silver birch trees. It is a glorious setting, laden with rustic and poetic sentiment. Three C̢̮ntaros [literally, 'pitchers'; in fact three steep crags] watch over Cov̮̣o d'Ametade: to the south is the C̢̮ntaro Raso; the C̢̮ntaro Magro is in the centre and typifies the whole of the Serra da Estrela, and the C̢̮ntaro Gordo is to the north. The River Z̮̻zere rises beside Torre, at an altitude of nearly 1993 m. It gushes between the steep walls of the C̢̮ntaros and starts to take shape in Cov̮̣o d'Ametade where it makes its way with great pride, as though getting ready to enlarge its flow to later deposit it, with all its force, in the River Tejo. Leaving Cov̮̣o d'Ametade, the River Z̮̻zere breaks out through the glacial valley and winds its way for 200 km between lush, fertile valleys until it empties into the River Tejo at Const̢̮ncia. More than 10 km in length, the Z̮̻zere glacial valley has a well formed 'u' shape, cleansing water through all its pores.
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