Zebreira

Opinions are divided on the origin of the term Zebreira. Some authors defend that it derives from the word "Zebro" (referring to a wild equid reported living in the Iberian Peninsula during the medieval period), others consider that it is of Egyptian origin, which would mean Santo Monte (Holy Hill). Like other civil parishes in Portugal, in the 12th century it was repopulated by the Order of the Templars during the Reconquista. It became a village and seat of municipality (concelho) with its own justice by then. Within the town, there is the Mother Church (from the 18th century), the chapels (especially the altar of the chapel of Espírito Santo), the pillory of 1686 (whose faces have lions, an armillary sphere, a flower and two arms with a cleaver), and the Town Hall with the bell tower. Close to the Guarda Nacional Republicana garrison, is the primary school with a beautiful tiled facade.^[1]