Cales Valley Wallow

Category: Civil Architecture > Pastoral Shelter

District: Portalegre > Castelo de Vide > Castelo de Vide > Vale de Cales

Location

Situated in the municipality of Castelo de Vide, the Chafurdão is located in the area known as Vale de Cales. This location places the structure within a rural environment, characteristic of the Alentejo landscape, on the outskirts of the town of Castelo de Vide.

Integrated into the valley's natural surroundings, the site offers a connection to the tranquility and simple beauty of the countryside, providing a serene setting for observing this traditional structure.

Vernacular Architecture

The Chafurdão of Vale de Cales is a remarkable example of vernacular architecture, erected using ancestral construction techniques. It is a circular edifice, entirely built of stone, presenting a solid and robust structure.

Its most distinctive feature is its roof, made using a false stone dome, which rests on the base of the structure. This "vault" is then covered externally with earth, giving it an organic appearance and integrating it into the landscape. It has a single entrance that functions as a door and some narrow slits that allow for discreet interior lighting.

A Testament to the Rural Past

These chafurdões primarily served as temporary shelters for people working in the fields, farmers and shepherds, and for storing their essential tools. They were simple, functional refuges against bad weather or for brief rests during long agricultural or pastoral workdays.

Their presence at various points in the region underscores the importance they held in the rural daily life of times past. Although the exact construction date and the specificity of each chafurdão may not be fully known, their existence points to an era when country life heavily relied on adaptation and the utilization of local resources, employing building knowledge passed down from generation to generation.

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