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Wolf's Den of Seida or Gorbelas or Brusca

Category: Nature > Ethnographic Site

District: Viana do Castelo > Arcos de Valdevez > Gavieira > Branda de Gorbelas

Location

The Fojo do Lobo da Seida, also known as Fojo de Gorbelas or Brusca, is situated in a landscape of remarkable natural beauty, in the Branda de Gorbelas, part of the parish of Gavieira, in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, district of Viana do Castelo. This remote and serene location is nestled in a mountainous environment, characterized by dense vegetation and the grandeur of natural elements. Its location invites an immersive experience in the tranquility and vastness of the mountains, where the silence is broken only by the sounds of the surrounding nature.

History and Purpose

A wolf trap, or "fojo de lobo," is an ancestral structure, erected by local communities with the purpose of capturing wolves, which historically represented a constant threat to the flocks and the subsistence of mountain populations. The Fojo da Seida is a testament to the ingenious interaction between Man and wildlife. Its construction reflects the pressing need to protect livestock and, simultaneously, a deep understanding of wolf behavior, a predator that inhabited these areas. It is a tangible vestige of times when rural life was intrinsically linked to the challenges imposed by nature.

Traditional Architecture and Engineering

The structure of the Fojo do Lobo da Seida, built using local stone, exhibits remarkable simplicity and proven effectiveness. Typically, these traps were designed to function as snares, with converging walls that guided wolves into a deeper pit, from which they could not escape. This rudimentary yet ingenious feat of engineering is an excellent example of popular wisdom and construction techniques adapted to the environment. Its shape and its placement on the terrain were carefully planned to take advantage of the natural topography and animal behavior, demonstrating a harmony between human creation and the environment.

Natural and Symbolic Value

Beyond its practical function, the Fojo do Lobo da Seida possesses profound symbolic and natural value. Set within a vast and untouched mountain landscape, this site allows visitors to imagine the lives of communities that depended on the land and faced the challenges of nature. It represents a bridge to a past where survival dictated a coexistence, at times tense, with wild fauna. Today, the wolf trap is an integral element of the cultural and natural landscape, evoking a heritage of resilience and adaptation. Its presence is a reminder of human persistence in the face of adversity, and of the delicate balance between human action and the surrounding ecosystem.

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

Coordinates DD: 41.95395637782563, -8.308628069255278
Coordinates DMS: 41°57'14.2"N 08°18'31.1"W

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