House of the People of Silk

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Community Centre

District: Portalegre > Alter do Chão > Seda

Location

The Casa do Povo de Seda is located in the small village of Seda, a hamlet belonging to the municipality of Alter do Chão, in the heart of the Alentejo region. It is situated on Rua da Liberdade (Freedom Street), a name that, in itself, invites discovery of the village's hidden corners. Its position within the village's core is integrated into the characteristic regional architecture, offering visitors a perception of local life and the Alentejo landscape, marked by the tranquility and simplicity of its constructions.

A Community Legacy

Built in the 20th century, the Casa do Povo de Seda stands as an important element in the history and life of this rural community. Conceived to be pillars of social support and community organization, these "Casas do Povo" (People's Houses) emerged as spaces for gathering, solidarity, and local development. In Seda, this building has maintained that essential function, serving, since its construction, as a meeting point and source of support for its inhabitants, a testament to the village's social dynamics over the decades.

Design and Character

The architecture of the Casa do Povo de Seda reflects the pragmatism and functionality typical of buildings constructed in the last century for welfare purposes. Its lines and composition integrate into the traditional environment of Seda village, without grand embellishments, but with the solidity that characterizes durable constructions. Its discreet, yet significant, presence in the urban fabric of the locality tells a part of the story of how communities organized and supported each other in the heart of the Alentejo.

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