Silha dos Ursos de Germil

Category: Archaeology > Bee Shelter

District: Viana do Castelo > Ponte da Barca > Germil > Silha dos Ursos

Location

The Silha dos Ursos de Germil is situated in the mountains, in the locality of Germil, within the municipality of Ponte da Barca, district of Viana do Castelo. This place, a testament to the ancestral relationship between man and nature, is enveloped by a rural and mountainous environment, where the landscape unfolds into scenes of great natural beauty, typical of the highlands of Minho. Its position offers a perspective of deep immersion in the tranquility and robustness of the surrounding landscape, a place where human presence is discreet and harmoniously integrated.

Memory of a Past

The Silha dos Ursos de Germil represents an ancestral construction, erected with a fundamental purpose in the life of mountain communities: defense against bears. These structures, typical of regions where the brown bear inhabited, served to protect beehives and flocks, essential for the subsistence of local populations. Their existence in this location is an echo of the ancient need for coexistence and, at times, containment in the face of wildlife, revealing the ingenious and rustic methods that our ancestors developed to safeguard their belongings and their safety.

Characteristics and Integration into the Landscape

This silha is an example of popular and functional architecture, built with local stones, rising as an organic element in the landscape. Its structure, generally circular or semicircular, with robust dry-stone walls, demonstrates the mastery of the builders of the time and the durability of materials extracted directly from the environment. The absence of mortar in its construction highlights the simplicity and effectiveness of this ancient technique, which allowed these works to withstand the passage of time, remaining as silent landmarks in the mountains.

Cultural and Environmental Value

Visiting the Silha dos Ursos de Germil is to connect with a heritage that transcends mere construction; it is to immerse oneself in a slice of the rural history of Alto Minho and the culture of a people who knew how to shape and be shaped by the land. The site not only offers a glimpse into past survival strategies but also a space for contemplation of the untouched nature that surrounds it. The harmony between the stone structure and the natural environment confers upon the silha a scenic and symbolic value, inviting reflection on human resilience and the richness of biodiversity that still persists in these parts today.

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