Vale da Ursa Dam

Category: Civil Architecture > Dam

District: Setúbal > Alcácer do Sal > Torrão > Monte Garcia Freire

Location:

Located in the Monte Garcia Freire area, next to the village of Torrão, in the municipality of Alcácer do Sal, the Vale da Ursa Dam is situated in a distinctly rural environment, surrounded by green and gently rolling fields. The landscape is vast and tranquil, with few constructions nearby, which accentuates the feeling of isolation and direct contact with nature.

The water mirror is set within an area of pastures and 'montado' (cork oak woodlands), typical of the Alentejo, with a wide horizon and open sky. The surroundings are ideal for those who appreciate serene environments and the vastness of the Alentejo plains.

Natural Environment

The dam forms a reservoir with gentle contours, flanked by low-lying vegetation and grassy areas. The silence is only interrupted by the occasional sound of water and the animal life that finds refuge there. On cloudy days, like the one captured in the image, the water's surface reflects the sky, creating an almost ethereal atmosphere.

It is a space that invites contemplation, rest, and landscape observation, ideal for those looking to disconnect from the urban pace and spend time in contact with the land and the elements.

Function and Presence

Although small in size, the Vale da Ursa Dam plays a significant role in regulating local waters, possibly linked to the region's agriculture. Its discreet presence integrates harmoniously into the valley, without large visually impactful structures.

The absence of major visible human interventions reinforces the dam's simple and functional character, asserting itself more as a natural element than as an artificial work. The site maintains a clean aesthetic, with the water drawing a gentle curve that follows the terrain's topography.

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