Barroca

Schist Villages

Hidden between mountain slopes of leafy vegetation, the schist villages are one of our best kept secrets, but one that their pleasant, friendly inhabitants enjoy helping to reveal.
In this magical world, where time passes more slowly, the hospitable people always have the time to welcome visitors, and to share their stories, crafts and traditions. Just as we like to savour their gastronomic delights, made from recipes passed down from generation to generation! Or take with us a handmade article in linen or wood into which the local craftsmen have put all their knowledge.

This land also has preserved castles that appear to emerge out of the mist, straight out of fairy tales, and museums and monuments that bear witness to what life was like many years ago.

But much of their charm is in the pure nature. In the river beaches with crystal clear water where you can spend moments of relaxation. And in the forests you can discover on foot following the “Schist paths “, or on the bike trails defined by the Mountain Bike Centres according to various levels of difficulty, and which also provide support to bikers. There are also other extreme sport alternatives such as canoeing, climbing, abseiling and rope slides.

The 27 villages spread across the Lousã and Açor ranges, and quite close to Serra da Estrela, are called schist villages because this is the stone used in the construction of houses and is abundant in the region. The various shades of this rock, also used for paving the narrow winding streets, mingle seamlessly into the colours of the natural landscape, and it is not always easy to distinguish them. But it’s worth a try.

Fonte: www.visitportugal.com

https://www.visitportugal.com/en/destinos/centro-de-portugal/73752

The Villages:

 Serra da Lousã Group : Aigra Nova, Aigra Velha, Candal, Casal de São Simão,  Casal Novo,  Cerdeira, Chiqueiro, Comareira, Ferraria de São João,Gondramaz, Pena, Talasnal

Serra do Açor Group: Aldeia das Dez, Benfeita, Fajão, Sobral de São Miguel, Vila Cova de Alva

Zêzere Group: Álvaro, Barroca, Janeiro de Baixo, Janeiro de Cima, Mosteiro,Pedrógão Pequeno

Tejo-Ocreza Group: Água Formosa, Figueira, Martim Branco, Sarzedas

www.aldeiasdoxisto.pt

 

rsv19 geral_MG_5242

Villa Pedra Natural Houses

VILLA PEDRA was born on a slope of Serra de Sicó, right in the center of Portugal, in the ancient Aldeia de Cima, which had been abandoned for over seventy […]

recorte

Eira dos Canastros

In the heart of Portugal, just an hour from Porto, in a magnificent space between the river and the Serra do Vale do Vouga, Eira dos Canastros, with its outdoor […]

14034820_10205872200158069_320930319736743388_n1

Paço de Vilharigues

The Paço de Vilharigues is a small manor of the  XVII century, next to the medieval tower of Vilharigues, recovered respecting the old construction and introducing new architectural solutions that […]

convento-do-seixo_266┬®joaopedrosilva

Convento do Seixo Boutique Hotel & Spa

In every corner the whisper of granite with a sense of secrecy of the supernatural, ever vigilant witness of the miracles and legends of the convent, that is the essence […]

2 CSL

Casa de São Lourenço – Burel Mountain Hotel

Casa de São Lourenço – Burel Mountain Hotel***** is the new and only 5-star Mountain hotel in Portugal, at 1250 meters of altitude. It has panoramic views of the Mountain, […]

1 _H0A0282

Casas do Côro

Casas Do Côro – Country Houses Rural Chic-Eco Friendly Concept SPA – Historic Village Wine Project, are a set of twelve traditional and design buildings, surrounded by a century-old wall […]

QDC2

Quinta dos Carvalhos

Quinta dos Carvalhos is a farmhouse of 70ha, located 1.5 km from the city center of Castelo Branco. Located in Beira Baixa, one of the most charming regions of Portugal, […]

BC20042015-0085

Cerca Design House

You can find Cerca Design House in the municipality of Fundão, 30 minutes away from Serra da Estrela, with an amazing view to Serra da Gardunha. The house is the […]

BV_SAPIENTIA BOUTIQUE HOTEL_122

Sapientia Boutique Hotel – Books & Wine

Located in the heart of Upper Town of Coimbra, half-walled with the University, Sapientia have the privilege of being the only hotel in the World Heritage area. The Sapientia Boutique […]

Casa das Palmeiras_abertura

Casa das Palmeiras

Near the natural park of Serra da Estrela Mountain and less than 30 minutes from the main city Viseu, Casa das Palmeiras is a rural tourism with a pedagogic farm, […]