Cabril Dam, Dam in Pedrógão Grande, Portugal
Cabril Dam is a concrete dam in Pedrógão Grande, Portugal. It stands 136 meters high and holds back a reservoir on the Zêzere River, with a hydroelectric power station at its base.
Built in the 1950s, the dam was part of a push to bring electricity to the region. It has since become a landmark on the Zêzere, and its reservoir now draws visitors for recreation.
The dam's name comes from the nearby village of Cabril, and local people often drive up to the crest to enjoy the view over the water. On weekends, families and fishermen gather along the reservoir shores, keeping a tradition of outdoor meals by the water.
The dam is reached by a road that winds through the hills, with parking near the crest for a short walk. Visitors can cross the top for wide views, but the area is exposed and there are few facilities nearby.
The dam's tall concrete face has appeared in films, standing in for distant landscapes. Few visitors know that the reservoir hides the remains of old paths and walls that were submerged when the valley was flooded.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 94,756 contributors worldwide.
