Stomp

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Swimming Pool

District: Guarda > Trancoso > Aldeia Nova > Aldeia Velha

Location

Pisão is located in the Aldeia Velha area, within the locality of Aldeia Nova, belonging to the municipality of Trancoso. It is situated in an area where the landscape is marked by voluminous granite outcrops, lending the place a serene atmosphere integrated into the region's natural environment.

Origins and History

The history of Pisão dates back centuries, with records from 1726, such as those found in the Aquilégio. These documents describe the existence of a hot, sulfurous water spring in Aldeia Nova, whose abundance and temperature were sufficient to power a pisão (fulling mill). This machine was used in fabric preparation, an activity that, unusually, did not require the use of firewood or fire. Over time, this function evolved, and the fulling mill gave way to a water mill, which operated on the lower floor of the main building until relatively recently. Local memory suggests an even greater antiquity, with popular tradition associating the origins of the site with ancient times, possibly since the Roman era.

The Waters and the Natural Environment

The central element of Pisão is its remarkable water springs. The main emergence appears inside a small grotto, framed by a prominent large granite rock outcrop. This water, with a characteristic sulfurous odor, maintains a temperature of about 28º to 30º C, even in the middle of winter. An ingenious local adaptation allows part of this thermal water to be elevated and channeled, demonstrating the traditional utilization of natural resources. In addition to the main spring, the site includes four tanks that capture excess water from other small spouts. There is also a second spring, located at the top of the outcrop, sheltered by a small structure, whose water is cold and has a considerably lower sulfur content.

Architectural Testimonies

Pisão stands out not only for its natural landscape and waters but also for its built elements that tell the story of the place. The main building, robust and erected from rough granite, is the same one that housed the original fulling mill and, later, the water mill. On the lower floor, the components of the old mill, including the waterwheel and its mechanics, can still be observed, testifying to the activity that developed there over decades. Parallel to the granite outcrop, there is another building, continuously developed, that integrates various divisions where facilities for water utilization were located, including spaces with showers and bathtubs. This structure complements the main building, forming a courtyard at the rear and reflecting the evolution of the site's use over the centuries.

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