Season - Nettle

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Santarém > Mação > Ortiga > Estação

Location

Estação, Ortiga is situated in a unique area, in the southern part of the Ortiga parish, in the municipality of Mação. Its name, revealing its identity, stems from its historical and present connection to the railway network. This place, which developed around its function as an interface, offers a tranquil perspective on the surrounding landscape, characteristic of the railway line's banks.

Its position gives it a particular atmosphere, where the presence of the railway shaped urban development and the landscape. It is an area that, despite its residential nature, maintains a visible link with mobility and the region's more open landscapes.

The Railway Legacy

The history of Estação, Ortiga is deeply intertwined with the construction and development of the Beira Baixa Railway Line. This railway point was inaugurated on September 6, 1891, establishing itself as one of the original stations on the section connecting Abrantes to Covilhã. Its creation represented a vital landmark for communications and regional progress, facilitating transport and connection between communities.

Since its inception, Estação, Ortiga has served as an important hub for the local community, witnessing the passage of generations and contributing to the daily life and economy of the area. The structure and the very designation of the place are a direct reflection of this lasting influence of the railway.

Memories of Industrial Activity

Beyond its primary function as a railway point, Estação, Ortiga was, in other times, the scene of significant industrial activity that boosted the local economy. In this area, there once were buildings that housed a former resin factory, taking advantage of the surrounding forest resources.

Additionally, the locality had a unit dedicated to the production of paprika. These remnants of manufacturing activity, although no longer operational, tell a part of the community's history of work and subsistence, adding a layer of cultural and historical interest to the site.

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