The green pastures of Serra do Açor have been attracting shepherds and their flocks for many centuries. Over time populations created subsistence conditions, conquering every furrow cultivated in terraces from the mountains. An old royal road passed through the Serra do Açor highlands, connecting Coimbra to Covilhã, on which ox-carts travelled, bringing fish and salt from the coast and meat, cheese, wool and even ice from the hinterlands. Merchants, shepherds and highwaymen all used the road. It is said that it was the attacks by highwaymen that led to the union of the solitary shepherds that were scattered throughout the wild mountains, where they raised mares, horses, sheep and goats.