Visiting Piódão
Visiting PiódãoThis village is a paradox:
So remote that it is clearly out of all beaten paths, it is a “Must see” – a gem tight to the past, preserved by and to tourism.
After many years planning the visit, and after many hours in “prehistoric” roads, the visited happened. Piódão is a “must see” as I hope I will show in my next tips.
The site
Christmas tree is not a Portuguese tradition – we just copied it from Europe.
The real Portuguese tradition was the construction, at home, with moss, stones, cork and figures in clay, of a Christmas scene called “Presépio”.
Well, “presépio” is the word that comes to Portuguese minds whenever we have the first sight of Piódão.
Wonderful view, wonderful scenery, reality overcoming imagination.
The village
It’s a precious gem, this tiny village preserved in the mountains.
Classified national heritage, it is a remark of the tremendous conditions of life in that area, before the arrival of tourism.
It takes time (and risks) to arrive there, but it surely deserves the trip.
Architecture
Diversity, is the word to summarize the best that Portugal may offer to tourists.
The contrast between traditional architecture in this remote village and common use not far from it is awesome.
Walls, roofs, streets everything displays the imagination used by men for centuries to adapt and to adopt the available resources.
What a scene!
The church
Built in the 17th century (paid by the population, who sent a good amount of gold coins to the bishop) the ruined facade of the church was reconstructed in the end of the 19th, in Neo-classical style.
Steep streets
The narrow streets of the village are steep and irregular, some of them impossible to use.
If you’re not prepared with convenient shoes don’t go too far.
As a matter of fact you don’t need to do it, to catch all the beauty of the place.
The fountain
Visiting Piódão demands walking along its narrow and steep streets, here and there with steps, watching the schist constructions.
One of the interesting details is a fountain called “Fonte dos Algares”.
Museum
One of the houses in central square is identified as a museum.
I think that the museum will display the local artifacts that complement the museological ensemble composed by the village.
We came from a village, and still remember those kind of crafts, so we didn’t enter.
Old houses
There are two parts in the village – the recovered (and touristy) area, and the other, in the facing hill, with an abandoned look.
Sad, but also wonderful.
Wonderful paths
Piódão is a wild area lost in the mountains, inviting to a close contact with nature.
You don’t need to go far – any short stroll around the village will provide a fabulous scenery.
Açor
Winding narrow roads in a dramatic landscape, travelling to and from Piódão is a deep immersion in the wild Portugal.
Small villages in a demanding isolation, dotting the superb views of the unspoilt landscape.
What a day!
Eating in Piódão
XXI – Single option (?)
XXI – Single option (?)We didn’t eat there (we had plans to eat in Museu do Pão, in Seia), but noticed that this seemed to be the only restaurant in Piódão, and, to be more precise, the hub of the touristy organization that keeps the village alive.
It looks nice (though not well integrated in the surrounding architecture), but it was all that we could appreciate.
PS – Browsing internet, we may find three more restaurants in or near Piódão (Fontinha, Delícias do Piódão, Solar dos Pachecos).
I don’t know if they are new (the boom of tourism…) or so discrete that we didn’t notice them.
Piódão Liquors
Tourism dominates Piódão now, and together with the “local crafts” made in China as usual everywhere, it is possible to find some real local products. Liquors are one of them, and in the freezing weather visitors are received with an opportune invitation to taste.
Maybe the weather helped a lot, but some were really delicious, with the Chestnut liquor on top.
Everybody bought, of course…
