Minutes Dam

Category: Civil Architecture > Dam

District: Évora > Montemor-o-Novo > Nossa Senhora da Vila, Nossa Senhora do Bispo e Silveiras

Location

The Barragem dos Minutos (Minutos Dam) is located in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, set within the vast and characteristic landscape of the Évora district. This site is situated near the localities of Nossa Senhora da Vila, Nossa Senhora do Bispo, and Silveiras.

Its privileged location offers a serene and rural environment, typically Alentejo, where the tranquility of the countryside merges with the natural beauty of the region. From here, it is possible to contemplate expansive views that stretch across the surrounding landscape, dotted with iconic cork oaks and holm oaks.

Purpose and Engineering

The Barragem dos Minutos stands out as a remarkable feat of civil engineering, fundamental for the water management of the territory in which it is situated. Its construction had the primary objective of ensuring water storage, a precious resource in Alentejo, playing a crucial role in the supply or irrigation of adjacent agricultural lands over the years.

This undertaking reflects human intelligence and adaptation to the environment, creating an infrastructure that, although scaled to the local context, proves vital for the sustainability and development of the community and the region's agriculture.

Natural and Scenic Environment

The body of water formed by the Barragem dos Minutos contrasts harmoniously with the surrounding landscape, often marked by the Alentejo's summer dryness. This presence of water creates a particular microclimate and serves as a habitat for various local fauna and flora species, inviting the observation of nature in its purest state.

The quietness of the place and the vastness of the horizon provide a setting of undeniable scenic value and profound calm. It is a space where the serenity of the countryside invites contemplation and the enjoyment of the intrinsic beauty of the Alentejo natural environment.

License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt