Stones Experience

Category: Civil Architecture > Museum

District: Vila Real > Vila Pouca de Aguiar > Bornes de Aguiar > Bairro da Padeira

Location

The Pedras Experience is located in Bairro da Padeira, in Bornes de Aguiar, in the municipality of Vila Pouca de Aguiar. It occupies the former Social Services building, a place that, at the end of the 19th century, was considered one of the most dynamic points of Pedras Salgadas Park. Its location allows a direct connection to the park's history, reflected in the surrounding architecture and the once vibrant atmosphere.

The History of Pedras Water

This space invites visitors on a journey through the centenary history of Pedras water, from its origin in 1871 to the present day. Collections of historical objects are presented, illustrating the brand's evolution, such as old bottles, thermal cups, and laboratory pieces from when the water was considered a pharmaceutical specialty. The narrative highlights the water's uniqueness and purity, which maintains its natural characteristics unchanged, being captured directly at the source and reaching connoisseurs with its 100% natural gas.

Through the Park and Through Time

The visit allows visitors to recreate the atmosphere of different eras and understand life in Pedras Salgadas Park over time. Through the recreation of environments such as a doctor's office, a thermal bathhouse, and a late 19th-century room, it is possible to observe how life unfolded in the park from the Monarchy until the 20th century. The tour also addresses the evolution of advertising associated with the brand, showing how its image was communicated over the decades.

The Building and Digital Immersion

The very building that houses the Pedras Experience is a central part of the visit. Developed by architect Raul Lino, known for defining the model of the “Portuguese house,” the space was carefully restored as part of the «Aquanattur» project. The requalification intervention, carried out by architect Siza Vieira, ensured the preservation of its original design, integrating modernity into its structure. To complement the experience, a virtual reality section transports visitors into an immersion in Pedras Park during the 1920s, offering a unique perspective of life there at the time.

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