An old historic village in central Portugal, built of schist and slate

1. Aldeia do Piódão
• http://www.aldeiasdoxisto.pt
• http://www.aldeiasdoxisto.com/
The village
of Piódão

2. Piódão is a portuguese medieval village in the Açor mountain range, close
to its highest point (1 340 meters).
It is classified as Public Interest Monument since 1978, and was later listed
as one of the Historical Villages of Portugal.

3. Piódão is located in the
country’s central region,
at the eastern border of
Coimbra municipality.
Population ~180
Coordinates
40° 13.7 N, 7° 49.5 W

4. The village was built like a downhill cascade of dark houses in schist stone with slate
roofs. Amidst them stands a pristine white-and-blue church .

6. The church dates back to the 17th
century, but was restored lately in
the neoclassical style.

9. The interior is quite luminous and bright, rich in gold decoration,
under a beautiful wood-paneled ceiling.

12. Building houses this way, closely clustered, helps protecting from strong winds and
the severe summer sun.

13. At each corner of the
narrow steep alleys and
staired lanes, through a
window or on a terrace,
you can find the frame
for a nice photo.
The village surprises
for its harmonious
integration into the
natural setting of the
surrounding forested
hills.

14. Piódão is famous for its traditional
houses with shale walls and blue-
painted wooden doors and windows.

16. Building materials are offered by
surrounding nature: schist, slate
stone and wood. The slate-roofs
are either saddle roofs or four side
roofs.

17. Piódão has the typical outline
of a mountain settlement.
The houses ascend the slope,
sheltered from the winds, and
narrow streets of cobbled
stone go up the hill or across,
following the terrain’s relief.

18. Local people live mainly of agriculture (corn, potatoes, beans, vine),
livestock (sheep and goats, cheese production) and also beekeeping.
The small fertile areas in difficult terraced ground doesn´t help.

19. The youngsters have been emigrating to foreign countries or to the coastal zones in
search of a better life, leaving behind an aging population. This situation threatens the
existence of the village itself in the long run.

21. Currently, the desertification
of areas in the interior is a
major concern.
Some jobs appeal to young
urban people (tourism,
handcraft, facilities) and
young couples are slowly
coming to these villages.

26. The local museum

28. The small museum displays traditional furniture,
kitchenware, farming and home working tools.

32. That’s a happy dog!

43. Foz d’Égua
Around 3 km from Piódão, at the confluence of two little brooks, there is a
natural pool in an astounding scenery – with even a suspended wooden
bridge !

45. The pedestrian suspended bridge was built for an easier access to houses
and water mills from the opposite slope. But it can also provide an
“Indiana Jones” – like experience !

48. In summer this is an idyllic river strand, not easy to access but offering a good
natural swimming pool.

51. © Mário Ricca, 2013
Sources:
Photos and text excerpts from
• http://www.panoramio.com/
• http://www.pbase.com
• http://www.flickr.com/
• http://picasaweb.google.com
http://www.aldeiasdoxisto.pt
http://www.aldeiasdoxisto.com