DISCOVERIES
Póvoa Dão PÓVOA DÃO IS
a collection of holiday cottages like none other - with a centuries-old history. It is one of the oldest villages in the Silgueiros community in the region of Viseu, yet nobody knows exactly when Póvoa Dão, first a small hamlet, then a simple mediaeval farm, was first founded. But it is well known that its existence was mentioned as far back as the Inquirições Afonsinas (Alfonsine inquests) which took place prior to 1258. Seemingly condemned to abandonment, Póvoa Dão was recovered in 1995. As Assistant Manager Juliana tells us: “The idea was to return it to its old habits and customs, bringing it alive as a place to visit and live in.” By 2004, after a rigorous renovation, the ruins had been replaced by what is now a refuge in the true sense of the word - a place that offers a different way of life, far from the bustle of cities and closer to authentic Portugal.
community spirit shown through the annual 15th January pilgrimage to Santo Amaro, through the offer of bread in community ovens, through the afternoon exchange among farmers, the Autumn and Winter evenings dedicated to the shucking of the corn, the spinning of the flax, and through the warming Christmas bonfires.”
“We spent True spirit The hotel welcomes and significant time surprises many, and Juliana wandering through and Manager Jose revel in both. “We know we have a incredible restored mediaeval place like nowhere else! homes and hiking on many trails The true spirit of a Portuguese village, the around Póvoa Dão to several ruins. ancestral houses made of granite and wood, the Quiet location and rustic/ regional cuisine that our restaurant, with its Beira luxurious (they built a fire for flavours, offers , our history, us in our fireplace and had it and our 1,200 hectares of land along the banks of the warmed for us when River Dão.” As we ended our chat, Juliana told we arrived).”
Simplicity, history and community
Stepping away from the hustle-bustle of normal life is exactly what you do here. It’s about simplicity, history and community. Juliana remarks: “This has been a stopping place for many people (there is a Roman road in the village). It was built over time and has a true
us of a British family who had stayed this summer, seeking something more than their usual Portuguese beach holiday. “So they found us,” says Juliana, “and they loved the experience! For one week they did a lot of different activities such as tennis, walking, picnics and the swimming pool, and they loved the flavours of our gastronomy.” They’re coming back next year.
Meet your host the manager
Jose Alberto Rodrigues
Tel: +351 232 958557; www.sawdays.co.uk/povoadao
contact
sleeping
Silgueiros, 3500-546 Viseu, Beira Central Portugal
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fantastic for Foodies Family Couples Nature lovers
Eight houses for 4-8 people €65-175 per night
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25/03/2014 1:24 pm