About Cabril Dam

Cabril dam on the river Zêzere is Portugal's tallest dam at 132 metres and one of the most impressive engineering structures in the country. Completed in 1954, it holds 720 million cubic metres and sits upstream of Castelo de Bode in the central highlands of Portugal. The double-curvature arch dam was a pioneering feat of Portuguese civil engineering when built. Its primary purpose is hydroelectric generation, with a power station that contributes significantly to the national grid. The reservoir occupies a deep, narrow valley carved through schist and granite bedrock, creating a sinuous lake surrounded by forested mountains. The area around Cabril is sparsely populated and offers some of the most dramatic natural scenery in central Portugal.