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Vasco Esteves de Cima

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Guarda > Seia > Alvoco da Serra

Location

Vasco Esteves de Cima stands at an altitude of 700 meters, nestled in the heart of the majestic Serra da Estrela. Its position offers a natural setting of great beauty, where the landscape unfolds in terraced fields once cultivated, dotted with a variety of trees such as pines, olive trees, fig trees, and grapevines. The cluster of houses, predominantly built of schist, integrates harmoniously into the mountain environment, giving the village a unique atmosphere, as if it were a watercolor painting. A practical and historical element of community life is its high-quality water source, once accompanied by a public washhouse, bearing witness to the daily life of the settlement.

The Origin of the Name

The name of the locality, Vasco Esteves de Cima, refers to a prominent figure from the past. It is suggested that Vasco Esteves was a far-sighted and dynamic landowner who promoted the agricultural and livestock development of the area. The epithet "de Cima" (meaning "Above" or "Upper") not only distinguishes the village by its geographical elevation but also, symbolically, expresses admiration for the historical figure who shaped its initial development.

Religious Heritage and Community Spirit

Vasco Esteves de Cima preserves a religious heritage that reflects its history and the strength of its community. The old chapel, dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Our Lady of Conception), began its construction in the mid-17th century. Built with great effort by the few inhabitants of the time, this chapel, with its simple architecture, Baroque altar, and wooden details, stands out as a beacon of light amidst the village's schist houses. Later, in the mid-20th century, the inhabitants undertook the remarkable construction of a new chapel, at the place known as the Cabeço (the Hilltop), under the invocation of Nossa Senhora do Bom Parto (Our Lady of Good Delivery). This collective project, which relied on the voluntary work of the inhabitants and the support of prominent local figures, illustrates the profound spirit of mutual aid and the dedication of the population in preserving their faith and identity.

Traditional Life and the Mark of Emigration

Life in Vasco Esteves de Cima was deeply marked by self-sufficiency and the rhythm of the land. The traditional schist houses reveal an organization designed for daily mountain life, with distinct spaces for storing agricultural products on the ground floor and the living area on the first floor. Agriculture, the basis of subsistence, was diverse, including the cultivation of corn, beans, potatoes, and a variety of fruit trees, complemented by goat pastoralism. The tradition of baking bread in communal ovens reinforces the idea of a shared life and mutual aid. However, the village was not isolated; from the mid-20th century onwards, emigration became a path for many, connecting its inhabitants to distant destinations while maintaining ties with their homeland. This movement, along with access to better infrastructures such as roads and a dedicated school built by the community, boosted education and the village's connection to the outside world, without ever erasing its mountain identity.

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

Coordinates DD: 40.2732706,-7.7081273
Coordinates DMS: 40°16'23.8"N 07°42'29.3"W

Weather Alvoco da Serra  Weather Alvoco da Serra

Tuesday, 05
Scattered clouds
21° | 36°
Scattered clouds
Wednesday, 06
Overcast clouds
24° | 38°
Overcast clouds
Thursday, 07
Few clouds
20° | 37°
Few clouds
Friday, 08
Clear sky
20° | 36°
Clear sky
Saturday, 09
Scattered clouds
17° | 32°
Scattered clouds

On-duty Pharmacy Alvoco da Serra  On-duty Pharmacy Alvoco da Serra

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Guarda

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