Oak Avenue

Category: Nature > Tree-Lined Avenue

District: Portalegre > Marvão > São Salvador da Aramenha > Carriçal

Location

Alameda dos Freixos is located in the village of Carriçal, in the municipality of Marvão. This site constitutes a distinctive stretch of National Road 246-1, extending for approximately one kilometer. Its position in a more secluded area provides a serene environment and a strong connection with the surrounding nature, ideal for a tranquil journey through the Alentejo landscape.

The Arboreal Tunnel

This stretch is unequivocally defined by the presence of over two hundred centuries-old ash trees, carefully aligned on both sides of the road. Over time, the canopies of these trees have merged, creating a remarkable natural tunnel. Those who travel through the Alameda are enveloped by a unique atmosphere, where sunlight filters through the leaves, drawing patterns on the ground. The trunks of many of these specimens are marked with white lime, a particularity that adds a distinctive touch to their aesthetic.

The Colors of the Seasons

Alameda dos Freixos offers a beauty that transforms and reveals new nuances with each season. During autumn, the ash tree leaves display warm and vibrant hues, varying between yellow, orange, and red, painting the landscape with intense colors. In winter, with the trees bare, the structure of the branches and trunks gains prominence, lending the place a more austere and introspective beauty. Spring brings a tender and fresh green, which matures and densifies in summer, when the dense canopies provide inviting shade and a sense of coolness along the route.

A Natural Legacy

The value of Alameda dos Freixos transcends its visual beauty, being officially recognized as trees of public interest since 1997. This classification underscores the importance of its preservation, not only for its scenic impact, but also as a natural and landscape heritage of the Marvão region. It is a living example of the harmony between nature and human intervention that, over centuries, has shaped the local landscape.

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