Guarda Cathedral was built in the Middle Ages and recalls to mind the great fortress than a temple. The building combines two styles, Gothic and Manueline style. The cathedral was built on the initiative of King João I.

In fact, the history of the cathedral city of Guarda began in 1199, when King Sancho I received permission from the Pope to transfer the seat of the bishopric from Egitaniya (now - Idanha-a-Velha) in Guarda. The first cathedral was built in the Romanesque style, but it was soon destroyed, and in its place built a church. The cathedral was built from scratch, but in the second half of the XIV century, the temple was again destroyed during the war with Castile. The third and final construction of the cathedral was begun in 1390 and was led by the Bishop of Vaško de Lamego. Construction proceeded very slowly, and was completed after a half-century, approximately in 1540.

It was originally built the nave and apse of the church in the Gothic style. Engaged in the design of architect David Huguet and Diogo Boitash. Manueline style elements in the architecture of the building brought only later, at the beginning of the XVI century. The main entrance to the cathedral in the style Manueline, as well as the interior of the cathedral is striking in its elegance. Of particular interest is the altarpiece made of stone brought from Ansan - district in Portugal, known for its rock. He worked on the altarpiece Joao de Ruao, French sculptor. The ceiling of the transept - fan-Gothic vault, nave, as well as the main portal is decorated with spiral columns. In the chapel of the cathedral is the tomb of the guardian of values ​​cathedral, João de Pina.