Stone ages

…AND IT AGES BEAUTIFULLY, RESULTING IN ANYTHING BUT THE ORDINARY. HERE IN PORTUGAL THERE ARE ENTIRE VILLAGES TUCKED AWAY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OR TUMBLING DOWN INLAND HILLS THAT ARE PROOF OF MAN’S ABILITY TO MAKE THE BEST OF NATURAL MATERIALS

Words: LUCY MAYER

CANDAL, SERRA DA LOUSÃ

A mountainous town full of similar looking stone houses, the Candal has become somewhat of a tourist attraction. Encompassing steep streets, which walkers climb in order to get the best vantage point from the top, on clear days they can enjoy beautiful views over the valley accompanied by the Ribeira do Candal. Benefitting from the ease of access provided by the National Highway, Candal is generally regarded as the most developed of the schist mountain villages, and is one of the most visited. The villagers who still live there are used to being joined by holiday and weekend visitors who flock to experience the village’s quaint ambience.

It’s thought the name Candal comes from the traditional art of stone working. The phrase “singing the stone” may have originated from “candar” and then Candal, the place where the stone is sung. Because of the nature of the terrain, it’s said that the layout of the houses was strategically planned in such a way so that access to them was always easily maintained, as well as access to sunlight.