Standing out on the slopes of the imposing granite massif of Roca do Taurus is an excellent example of a ‘silha’ or bear defence. The ‘silhas’ consist of a small wall of stones, usually circular, in the interior of which were placed the cork beehives, out of reach of bears. This type of construction has been used since the Middle Ages with numerous examples scattered throughout the Serra do Gerês, some of which are well preserved and still in use. Usually they are in areas of scrub, with good solar exposure, facing the south and east and close to springs or watercourses