Candal: A picturesque village made of schist located in the centre of Portugal.

Situated within the grandeur of the Lousã Mountains, the charming village of Candal offers a tranquil retreat for travellers traversing the challenging slopes. Candal, located near Ribeira de São João, is a natural amphitheatre that embraces the settlement and its river. Located on a south-facing hill in the Lousã Mountain range, this village’s strategic location along the National Highway from Lousã to Castanheira de Pera makes it a popular stop for travellers.

Rich in history, Candal is now a destination of choice for tourists hoping to meander through its charming alleyways. Travellers who make their way up the village’s hills are rewarded with beautiful views from the viewpoint, which overlooks the valley that the Ribeira do Candal has brushed over. Once you descend, you’ll want to stop by the Schist Villages Shop, which is brimming with unique local goods and crafts.

Candal is now the most developed of the mountain communities and a well-liked tourist destination because it is easily accessible by car on the National Highway. The community thrives with activity as inhabitants mix with vacationers and weekend explorers in search of the pristine mountain air and friendly companionship.

The cobblestone streets provide witness to the enduring spirit and cultural legacy of the past. By exploring Candal’s historical origins, visitors can deeply engage with the village’s abundant heritage. The stone walls and rustic architecture carry the echo of old legends, beckoning guests to explore the intricacies of their story.

A network of hiking trails cuts through the surrounding mountains, luring visitors to explore the region’s pristine beauty. The riverbanks of Ribeira de São João offer serene locations for reflection and outdoor meals, fostering a connection between guests and the calming cadence of nature.

Candal, located at the intersection of cultural richness and breathtaking natural beauty, entices visitors with its sophisticated allure. This mountain community welcomes everyone who steps into its arms, whether they are looking for outdoor activities, historical insights, or just a quiet moment.

Candal lies approximately 10 km from Lousã, and it is located on the western side of Lousã Mountain. The settlement appears as a hidden treasure at the bottom of a sizable, bowl-shaped area that the surrounding mountains have formed. The scenic landscape around Candal and the Ribeira de São João forms a beautiful amphitheatre, which beckons visitors to explore and uncover its charms.

The stone walls of Candal reverberate with the echoes of history, with each structure serving as a tribute to a past age. While navigating the intricate alleyways of the hamlet, fully engage with the stories of endurance and customs that resound throughout history. Candal is deeply rooted in the slopes of the Lousã Mountain, and every part of it beckons tourists to explore the many aspects of its abundant cultural legacy.

Situated on the eastern slope, most of the buildings in the village face the morning sun, although some are scattered over several slopes, all coming together at a junction where watercourses intersect. The primary thoroughfare elegantly encircles the settlement, with residences lining its upstream edge, showcasing a seamless integration of customary elements and convenience.

The EN236 intersects Candal, providing vitality and opening new areas for discovery in addition to linking it to Lousë. This road winds through the settlement, providing access to the highest peak of the Serra, the magnificent Trevim, which stands at an elevation of 1204 metres. As tourists go along this picturesque path, they are exposed to the stunning splendour of the scenery and the captivating appeal of the surrounding mountains.

Candal invites tourists looking for things to do to discover not just its scenery but also its lively culture. Hiking routes reveal the natural beauty of Lousã Mountain, while the riverbanks of Ribeira de São João give tranquil locations for introspection. Additionally, the village’s proximity to the EN236 provides opportunities for further investigation, enticing tourists to journey into the centre of this interesting region.

Candal is portrayed as a site where history and environment converge, providing a diverse range of activities for adventurous individuals. Candal, a tribute to the everlasting beauty of Lousã Mountain and the legends inscribed within its slopes, gives both echoes of the past and the thrill of adventure.

Upon nearing Candal, you will come upon the village entry, which reveals itself over a charming wooden bridge that crosses a calm creek. Yet, the auditory sensations that welcome you originate from the valley underneath, where the Ribeira da Cerdeira conducts a harmonious symphony of swiftly flowing water. Resembling a picturesque Christmas nativity scene, the settlement of Cerdeira is situated on the slopes of the mountain, creating a natural amphitheatre that is intersected by the winding Ribeira da Cerdeira river.

This river, a lifeblood for the community, falls from the upper western slopes of the Serra da Lousã and winds through the centre of Cerdeira. The turbulent motion of the water not only creates a sound that serves as a background to village life but also forms a close relationship with the surrounding terrain. Relics from a bygone period, such as watermills and irrigation systems, abound along the watercourse, bearing witness to the historical interaction between human habitation and the forces of nature that sculpt the area.

The Ribeira da Cerdeira connects Trevim’s waters to the Ribeira de São João, the river Arouce, the river Ceira, and finally the river Mondego. The complicated web of canals illustrates how the hydrological systems in the area are interrelated. At the centre of this rural community, the flow of water animates the scenery, establishing an enduring symbiosis between the natural environment and human settlement. Candal’s ecological significance and seamless interaction with the surrounding environment demonstrate the delicate balance that exists between the natural world and the communities that live there.

Candal’s history 

is an intriguing part of the overall narrative of the Schist Villages in the Lousã municipality. Emerging against the backdrop of the 17th and 18th centuries, the transition from seasonal habitation to year-round settlement with pastoral activities marked a period of transformation for the settlements that were in the Lousã Mountains.

The lack of references in the “Register of the population of the Kingdom (1527)” highlights the comparatively recent founding of these communities. The Lous Council’s fine from the year 1679 and the record of tenant properties that King Pedro II ordered in the year 1687 are the earliest pieces of actual evidence. Villages such as Candal were carefully designed to maximise sunlight exposure and provide convenient access, in response to the difficult topography. In the early 19th century, during the Napoleonic era, Candal and Cerdeira managed to avoid being plundered, therefore safeguarding significant aspects of their historical structure. In 1885, the combined population of the seven villages, including the Schist Villages along with Catarredor and Vaqueirinho, made up 8.7% of the overall population of the Lousã parish.

Candal had a population of 129 residents in 1911, and its main economic activities were pastoralism, coal extraction, and subsistence agriculture. In 1940, the settlement had its highest population of 201 residents. However, during the 1950s and 1960s, there was significant emigration to Brazil. The 1960 census revealed a substantial decrease in the population of the settlements, accounting for just 4.2% of the total residents in the parish.

In the 1970s, significant transformations occurred in Candal as crucial utilities such as electricity and telephones were introduced, marking the beginning of a new age. The 1976 endeavour to acquire and renovate residences as secondary dwellings represented a pivotal moment, playing a role in the conservation of the hamlet. By 1991, the population of the town had decreased significantly to just 15 residents.

The derivation of the word “Candal” is derived from the craft of stone cutting, which adds a poetic

element to its historical background. Originating from the practice of craftsmen singing while they worked with stone, “Cantar a pedra,” or singing the stone, maybe transformed into “candar,” resulting in Candal—a location where the reverberations of stone craftsmanship endure throughout history.

Candal’s historical trajectory reveals a nuanced interaction between human tenacity, adjustment to the environment, and the ever-changing fabric of its residents’ existence. Today, the hamlet, being a member of the Natura 2000 Network, not only reflects its historical significance but also entices tourists to discover its abundant history, picturesque landscapes, and the resilient character of its inhabitants.