Palhota Stilt Pier

Category: Civil Architecture > Quay

District: Santarém > Salvaterra de Magos > Escaroupim

Location

The Palafitic Pier of Palhota is located in the town of Escaroupim, in the municipality of Salvaterra de Magos, belonging to the district of Santarém. Situated on the banks of the Tagus River, this place offers a unique setting where architecture blends with the riverside landscape. Its strategic position provides an unobstructed view of the waters and the vast alluvial plain that accompanies them, creating an atmosphere of serenity and a strong connection with the surrounding nature.

Architecture over the Waters

This pier is distinguished by its particular construction, resting on wooden stakes that rise above the river water. This ancestral and ingenious palafitic technique allowed the structure to adapt to the variations in the water level of the Tagus, always ensuring access. Its wooden design, using traditional materials from the region, reflects a perfect symbiosis with the fluvial environment and a practical response to the demands of a life connected to the river.

A Riverside Testimony

The Palafitic Pier of Palhota is a landmark that evokes the history and traditions of the riverside communities of the Tagus, particularly that of the Avieiros. In the past, it functioned as a vital link between boats and houses, also built on stilts, facilitating fishing activities and daily life. It is a tangible legacy of a way of life intrinsically linked to the river, representing the perseverance and adaptability of these people to the challenges of nature.

Natural and Cultural Scenery

A visit to the Palafitic Pier of Palhota allows for an immersion in a scenario where the natural beauty of the Tagus River meets the cultural richness of a community. The tranquility of the waters, the flight of birds, and the silhouette of the wooden constructions create a picturesque scene. This place invites contemplation and understanding of the ethnographic heritage of a region shaped by the presence and dynamics of its river.

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