Counter Houses

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Tourist Attraction

District: Guarda > Mêda > Marialva

Location

As Casas de Balcão are nestled in the heart of Marialva, a historic village perched on a rocky promontory in the municipality of Mêda, Guarda district. Set amidst narrow, winding streets paved with schist and granite, these houses reflect the essence of a rural and historical landscape. Their placement on the slopes allows, at certain points, a unique perspective over the traditional housing and the mountainous surroundings, characterized by the aridity and rugged beauty of the region. They are in full symbiosis with the ancestral urban fabric of the village, which invites exploration on foot.

Characteristic Architecture

The Casas de Balcão are distinguished by their traditional architecture, where the balcony element plays a central and defining role. Built predominantly of granite, the local stone, these dwellings feature protruding balconies, sometimes made of wood, other times supported by robust stone corbels. These elements are not merely decorative; they were vital spaces for the daily lives of Marialva's inhabitants, serving as an extension of the living areas, a place to dry agricultural products, or simply a viewpoint for the life unfolding in the village streets. Their presence lends a unique rhythm and depth to the facades, illustrating the functionality and aesthetics of the region's vernacular architecture.

Heritage and Identity

More than simple buildings, the Casas de Balcão are a living testament to the heritage and cultural identity of Marialva. They represent a tangible link to the village's rural past, preserving construction techniques and a way of life that has endured for centuries. Their preservation allows visitors an immersion into local history, offering an authentic glimpse into how traditional dwellings in this inland region of Portugal were and are. They contribute significantly to the picturesque and timeless atmosphere of the village, being essential elements in the narrative of its preservation and cultural valorization.

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