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Manta lobeira is one of the traditional variants of the cobertor de papa from Guarda, woven in churra wool with white, brown, green, red and yellow stripes. Also known as manta espanhola or ribatejana, and in Maçainhas as manta amarela, it is thick, warm and almost waterproof, made by hand on a wooden loom.
Origin and history
The manta lobeira belongs to the family of the cobertor de papa, the traditional wool blanket of the parishes of Guarda, next to Serra da Estrela. According to the Polytechnic of Guarda, its various names, lobeira, espanhola or ribatejana, come from the towns or regions where it was most often sold.
Popular tradition also links the name to wolves (lobos): it is said that the colours and shape of the blanket helped disguise shepherds sleeping with their flock, protecting them from the cold, the rain and the wolves. It is an oral explanation that shows how closely this blanket is tied to pastoral life.
How it is made
It is made like the cobertor de papa. Churra sheep wool is sheared, washed, spun and dyed in the colours of the stripes. The threads are warped in the sequence of the stripes and the blanket is woven by hand on a wooden loom. It is then fulled with water in the fulling mill, to thicken and felt it, and carded to raise the long hair. It dries in the sun, stretched out.
Today, the O Genuíno Cobertor de Papa association, in Maçainhas, weaves the manta lobeira on a hand loom about 300 years old, with artisans who worked in the last factory in the region.
Where it comes from
The manta lobeira comes from the Guarda region, in Beira Alta, and in particular from the village of Maçainhas, where handmade production of the cobertor de papa continues.
How to recognise it and care for it
You can recognise it by the wide, colourful stripes on a natural wool ground, its weight and the long hair on one side. Colours may vary slightly from piece to piece, because the wool is dyed and woven in small batches. To look after it, air it regularly, keep it away from damp and store it folded in a dry place. It works on a bed, on a sofa or as a decorative piece.
Where to buy
At Ra-Ro you will find the Cobertor de Papa (Manta Lobeira), woven by the O Genuíno Cobertor de Papa association. In September 2026, the product page listed it at €271.90. If you prefer a more sober version, see also the Cobertor de Papa (Shepherd’s Blanket).
Frequently asked questions
What is a manta lobeira?
It is a variant of the cobertor de papa from Guarda, in churra wool, with white, brown, green, red and yellow stripes. It is also called manta espanhola or ribatejana.
Why is it called manta lobeira?
The blanket’s names are linked to the regions where it was sold. Popular tradition also connects lobeira with wolves, saying the colours helped disguise the shepherds.
Where can I buy a manta lobeira?
In Maçainhas, from the O Genuíno Cobertor de Papa association, or online at Ra-Ro, which sells the Cobertor de Papa (Manta Lobeira) woven by this association.
