Minas da Panasqueira Community Center

Location

The Minas da Panasqueira Community Centre is located in Barroca Grande, an area integrated into the locality of Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, in the municipality of Covilhã. It is situated in the former Panasqueira Mines area, a territory with deep connections to the region's mining history. Its location offers a perspective on the evolution of a community once linked to tungsten mining, now reinvented with a strong social and local support focus.

Past and Transformation

This centre has its roots in a building of great historical significance for the region: the former Panasqueira Mines Hospital. After the closure of the mines in 1995, the property was donated to the Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Fundão with the objective of being reconverted for social purposes, serving the needs of the local population. Its opening in 1999 marked a moment of transition and hope, symbolizing the capacity of a community to adapt and find new purposes for its historical infrastructures. The transformation of the hospital into a community centre reflects the resilience and spirit of mutual support that characterize this area.

A Pillar of the Community

Over the years, the Minas da Panasqueira Community Centre has established itself as a true pillar for the local population, adapting to various realities and challenges. Its recent history includes moments of support for foreign workers who came to the mine and, temporarily, served as a school space for children from Barroca Grande during public building renovations. This adaptability demonstrates the central role the centre plays as a meeting point and support hub, a place where different generations and social groups have found welcome and assistance. An element that testifies to its extensive history is the “Community Book,” where memories and thanks are recorded, perpetuating the centre's deep connection with the inhabitants of Panasqueira.