São Marcos da Serra

São Marcos da Serra is a traditional Portuguese town situated deep inland within the Serra do Caldeirão mountain range, in the Silves municipality. The location is defined by its remote position among steep hills and extensive cork oak and eucalyptus forests. Historically, the town functioned as a crucial center for forestry products, particularly cork and charcoal production. Today, it maintains its traditional rural architecture and serves as an administrative point and gateways for accessing the interior trails and natural landscape of the Serra. The surrounding area supports a sparse population whose livelihood is still closely related to the resources of the mountain region.