Located in the central region of Portugal between Castelo Branco and Coimbra.
The Schist Villages are made up of 27 villages in 16 municipalities. They are called this because Schist is the most abundant stone in this region and is used in the construction of houses and pavements.
The villages were in ruins, but were recovered by a partnership between the municipalities, the Agency for the Tourist Development of Schist Villages (ADXTUR) and private agents, with the aim of preserving the culture and heritage of the rural world of Beira against human desertification and oblivion.
As we mentioned above, the Schist Village Network is made up of 27 villages in the Central Region of Portugal, which are divided into four distinct territorial groups, namely: Serra da Lousã, Serra do Açor, Zêzere, Tejo-Ocreza.
It is worth spending at least 6 days to visit the four territories of the Schist Villages network. These Schist Villages are not just for viewing. They are above all to be appreciated. To observe every detail of the houses and the simplicity of the villages. Feel the cultural traditions, breathe the fresh air, enjoy the landscapes and observe the magnificent starry sky.
Serra da Lousã has 12 of the 27 villages that make up the Network of Schist Villages in Central Portugal. The Schist Villages of Serra da Lousã are the following: Aigra Nova, Aigra Velha, Candal, Casal de São Simão, Casal Novo, Cerdeira, Chiqueiro, Comareira, Ferraria de São João, Gondramaz, Pena and Talasnal.
The Schist villages of Serra do Açor have 5 of the 27 villages and are part of the Network of Schist Villages in Central Portugal, namely: Aldeia das Dez, Benfeita, Fajão, Sobral de São Miguel and Vila Cova de Alva.
There are 6 villages in the Zêzere Schist, 5 of which are on the banks of the Zêzere river, namely: Álvaro, Barroca, Janeiro de Baixo, Janeiro de Cima and Pedrógão Pequeno. The Zêzere river originates in Serra da Estrela and flows into Constância, almost 250 km later, making it the second largest exclusively Portuguese river (only surpassed by the Mondego river). Just the village of Mosteiro, not part of the river banks.
The Tejo-Ocreza Schist villages are located in the region of the Tagus river and the Ocreza river and there are four villages that are part of the Schist Village Network, namely: Água Formosa, Figueira, Martim Branco and Sarzedas.
The villages were in ruins, but were recovered by a partnership between the municipalities, the Agency for the Tourist Development of Schist Villages (ADXTUR) and private agents, with the aim of preserving the culture and heritage of the rural world of Beira against human desertification and oblivion.
As we mentioned above, the Schist Village Network is made up of 27 villages in the Central Region of Portugal, which are divided into four distinct territorial groups, namely: Serra da Lousã, Serra do Açor, Zêzere, Tejo-Ocreza.
It is worth spending at least 6 days to visit the four territories of the Schist Villages network. These Schist Villages are not just for viewing. They are above all to be appreciated. To observe every detail of the houses and the simplicity of the villages. Feel the cultural traditions, breathe the fresh air, enjoy the landscapes and observe the magnificent starry sky.
Serra da Lousã has 12 of the 27 villages that make up the Network of Schist Villages in Central Portugal. The Schist Villages of Serra da Lousã are the following: Aigra Nova, Aigra Velha, Candal, Casal de São Simão, Casal Novo, Cerdeira, Chiqueiro, Comareira, Ferraria de São João, Gondramaz, Pena and Talasnal.
The Schist villages of Serra do Açor have 5 of the 27 villages and are part of the Network of Schist Villages in Central Portugal, namely: Aldeia das Dez, Benfeita, Fajão, Sobral de São Miguel and Vila Cova de Alva.
There are 6 villages in the Zêzere Schist, 5 of which are on the banks of the Zêzere river, namely: Álvaro, Barroca, Janeiro de Baixo, Janeiro de Cima and Pedrógão Pequeno. The Zêzere river originates in Serra da Estrela and flows into Constância, almost 250 km later, making it the second largest exclusively Portuguese river (only surpassed by the Mondego river). Just the village of Mosteiro, not part of the river banks.
The Tejo-Ocreza Schist villages are located in the region of the Tagus river and the Ocreza river and there are four villages that are part of the Schist Village Network, namely: Água Formosa, Figueira, Martim Branco and Sarzedas.
