Piodão, a picturesque little village in central Portugal, clings to a steeply terraced mountainside deep within the foothills of the Serra de Açor range. This is a wilderness area with deep river valleys, pine and eucalyptus forests, and craggy peaks. It is also one of the most isolated areas in Portugal, and until the 1970s, the only way to get to Piodão was by foot or horseback.
The spring-fed pastures of the Serra de S. Pedro do Açor drew Portuguese shepherds who fed their flocks there. Agricultural and pastoral activities continue to dominate the way of life of the people of Piódo, primarily as a means of subsistence and survival.
Note the Eira, from which you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view, and the Forno do Pão.
Piódo’s architecture will surprise you, as it is an excellent illustration of Man’s capacity to adapt gracefully to the most hostile but exquisite environments. Between tiny winding lanes, the buildings stand along the hills’ terraces, which reveal blue and schist. Schist is a stone found in abundance locally and has an appearance somewhere between slate and granite, with rich warm tones. The history of Piódo is hidden around every corner.
RIVER BEACH
In the Piódo creek, there is a perfect bathing spot. The water is crystal clear and refreshing, and it is bordered by trees.
PARISH CHURCH
The second half of the 18th century saw the construction of this small church. Its façade was at risk of collapse in the late 1800s. To get to the church, you must ascend a flight of broad schist stairs. It consists of two portions that are juxtaposed, as well as a vestry. It has been repaired and extended multiple times and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Conception. The current façade has four powerful cylindrical buttresses that rise above the nave and are crowned by the cone, thanks to work done between 1898 and 1900. The bell tower and choir loft were also built around this time. The chancel was expanded and four cylindrical columns with buttresses at each corner were added. Canon Manuel Nogueira was in charge of the changes. A renaissance-style carved altarpiece in gilded wood with images of Our Lady of the Conception, St Michael, and St Sebastian is found inside the high altar. Other historical artefacts in the church include: In a niche in the front, a 16th-century limestone figure of Our Lady of the Conception watches over the square and blesses passers-by.
ALMAS CHAPEL
It has a wooden altarpiece with a simple painting of purgatory souls. It served as the mortuary chapel for Piódo and the nearby village.
SÃO PEDRO CHAPEL
In the 17th, 18th, and 20th centuries it was a simple place of worship within the village. It houses a St. Peter image from the 16th century.
THRESHING FLOOR
At the top of the village, there is a communal threshing floor. In small, isolated villages, residents worked together to use infrastructure (such as irrigation systems, ovens, and threshing floors) or places (common land). This was critical for their survival. This area was used to dry and thresh grain (for example, rye) and legumes (e.g. beans).
On the stones, we can see carvings such as dents and drawings, many of which represent individual or pairs of foot soles. We can assume they were associated with good luck charms for crops or product preservation.
BUST OF CANON MANUEL FERNANDES NOGUEIRA
In 1861, Manuel Fernandes Nogueira was born in Loriga. In 1884, he was ordained as a priest, and in 1885, he arrived in Piódo. In 1886, he established a college to prepare students for admission to the Seminary. More than 200 boys attended the school, which was demolished in 1906 as part of the square improvement project. Many students pursued higher education, and approximately thirty were ordained, priests. He passed away in 1944
ALGARES FOUNTAIN
With an ogival arch, this little fountain is made of schist. It’s encased in a schist wall and mixes in perfectly with the village’s austere yet lovely surroundings.
O FONTINHA
It has been in operation since 1989, but it was recently renovated in 2012. This restaurant serves traditional regional dishes such as wood-fired goat stew, pork sausage, and grilled trout, among others. Restaurante Fontinha is located within the village (near the fountain), giving it a rustic feel.
The structure is made of traditional schist on the outside and inside, and it is extremely beautiful.
How to get to Piódão
Piódão is located in the municipality of Arganil, between Serra do Açor and Serra da Estrela, right in the center of Portugal . The village is about 60 km away from Covilhã and about 90 km away from Coimbra. The easiest way to get there is by car.
Once on the IP3 you should exit to the IC6 towards Arganil/Covilhã/Oliveira do Hospital and then take the N17. On the N17 you can choose one of the following alternatives: go to Arganil or go to Coja and then continue to Piódão.
