Category: Civil Architecture > Threshing Floor
District: Vila Real > Vila Real > Vila Marim > Varelas
The Eira de Varelas is located in the Varelas area, an integral part of the locality of Vila Marim, in the municipality of Vila Real. This place is situated in an environment that combines the simplicity of a traditional settlement with the surrounding landscape of the region. Generally, threshing floors are open spaces, often in higher points of the village, which gives them a unique position within the urban or rural fabric.
Its presence in Varelas suggests a direct connection with the daily life of the community in the past, serving as a point of reference and, at times, of observation of the surrounding environment, particularly the views over the houses and the surrounding fields.
The Eira de Varelas is a testament to the agricultural and community heritage of the region. These spaces traditionally served as places of work and gathering, where cereals such as wheat and corn were thrashed to separate the grain from the straw, a process known as malha. It was here that families came together for shared tasks, reflecting the way of life and subsistence economy of other times.
Visiting the threshing floor allows passers-by to connect with the roots and traditions of Vila Marim, offering a perspective on the resilience and social organization of Portuguese rural communities. It represents a tangible link to the labor of the field and the generations that shaped the local landscape.
The Eira de Varelas presents itself, as is common with these structures, as a circular or rectangular platform, generally paved with stone, designed to withstand the intensive use of agricultural activities. The robustness of its construction reflects the functional importance it held over the years. Its architectural simplicity stands out in the landscape, inviting contemplation.
The atmosphere at the threshing floor is often one of tranquility, punctuated only by the natural sounds of the surroundings. It is an open space that inspires a sense of freedom and an invitation to enjoy the calm, far from the hustle and bustle, and to feel the connection with the history of the place.
The location of the Eira de Varelas, typically in a more open area of the settlement, gives it the potential of a privileged observation point. From there, it is possible to have a wide perspective over part of the locality of Vila Marim and the agricultural lands that extend in the vicinity. It is a place that allows visitors to appreciate the arrangement of the houses, the natural frame of the valleys or hills, and the rhythm of village life.
This scenic aspect makes the threshing floor an interesting place for those seeking a moment of rest and an opportunity to capture the atmosphere and the simple beauty of the Trás-os-Montes landscape, which extends beyond the houses.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.29768862, -7.78281336
Coordinates DMS: 41°17'51.7"N 07°46'58.1"W