the schist village that's entirely built in granite
The network's name misleads. Aldeia das Dez belongs to the Aldeias do Xisto, but is built almost entirely in granite. The reason is geological: it sits on the north slope of Monte Colcurinho, at a point where the substrate changes and granite took the place of schist as the dominant material. It's the exception within the network itself.
The village calls itself a viewpoint and that's literal. It sits at about 500 metres altitude, overlooking the Alvôco river, and every square, street or house has a view of the mountains. The Miradouro do Largo Alfredo Duarte is in the heart of the village, with an old red telephone box and a post box striking poses. At the exit, the Miradouro da Mimosa opens a wider view.
It's also known as the village of fountains. There are four granite fountains, dated between 1892 and 1929, with the Fonte do Povo standing out for its tiles with poems by Vasco Campos. The Igreja Matriz has sumptuous gilded woodwork, a legacy of the carvers and gilders who lived here. The village name comes from a Reconquista legend: ten women are said to have found a treasure in a cave on the Colcurinho. If you want to combine visits, the neighbouring Vila Cova de Alva is also a schist village -- and that one really is schist.
good to know
- belongs to the aldeias do xisto, but built in granite (geological exception in the network)
- on the north slope of colcurinho, at about 500m altitude, overlooking the alvôco river
- also called 'village of fountains': four granite fountains (1892, 1915, 1929 and at the village entrance)
- igreja matriz with gilded woodwork, legacy of the carvers who lived here
- three trails leave from largo alfredo duarte (the alvôco floodplains, imperial route, in the hermit's footsteps)
