Granaries and Community Threshing Floor of Soajo

Category: Civil Architecture > Granaries

District: Viana do Castelo > Arcos de Valdevez > Soajo > Teso

Location

The Soajo Granaries and Communal Threshing Floor are located in the Teso area, a distinctive part of the locality of Soajo, in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez. This location, often on a hillside or a higher part of the village, allows the complex to stand out in the landscape. The site offers a unique perspective on the surrounding rural environment, marked by the presence of granite outcrops that are a prominent feature of the region.

The Architectural Complex

This remarkable cluster is composed of twenty-four granaries, ancient structures intended for drying and storing cereals, especially maize. Each of these granaries is built entirely of stone, resting on elevated pillars that protect them from soil moisture and rodent action. The homogeneity of their granite construction gives the complex a strong visual identity and a harmonious integration with the natural environment. The oldest granary in this complex dates back to 1782, testifying to centuries of agricultural tradition.

The Communal Threshing Floor and its Significance

More than a mere cluster of constructions, the granaries are arranged around a communal threshing floor. This was a space shared by the village inhabitants, where threshing and drying operations of cereals took place after the harvest. The threshing floor represented a meeting point and collective workspace, a place of great social and economic importance in the life of rural communities. Its preservation allows for an understanding of the social organization and agricultural practices of old, reflecting the spirit of mutual aid and sharing that characterized communal life.

Historical and Heritage Value

The complex of Soajo Granaries and Communal Threshing Floor is a significant example of Portuguese popular architecture and rural heritage. Its importance and cultural value were formally recognized with its classification as a Property of Public Interest in 1983. This distinction highlights the site's relevance as an authentic vestige of a traditional way of life and a fundamental piece of the country's built heritage. A visit to the site offers a window into the past, allowing observation of the durability and ingenuity of ancestral architectural solutions.

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