Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Vila Real > Ribeira de Pena > Canedo
Canedo, a serene locality in the municipality of Ribeira de Pena, district of Vila Real, is home to this unique point of interest. Integrated into the Transmontane landscape, characterized by its rural tranquility, the Clock (alminhas) is found in an environment that reflects the life and traditional architecture of local communities. Its position within the village gives it a prominent role in the memory and identity of Canedo, witnessing the passage of time in this corner of inland Portugal.
The Clock (alminhas) presents a unique fusion of elements that once profoundly marked the daily lives of Portuguese villages. On one hand, the presence of the clock refers to the importance of timekeeping, essential for the organization of civil and agricultural life, dictating the rhythms of work, rest, and leisure for the community. It functioned as a vital reference point for all inhabitants, a regulator of daily life. On the other hand, the integration of alminhas (small votive shrines dedicated to souls in purgatory) gives it a dimension of profound popular religiosity. Alminhas are votive oratories, often erected in places of passage, dedicated to the souls in Purgatory, inviting prayer and reflection. This particular combination, where the temporal meets the spiritual, offers a unique perspective on the rural culture of Trás-os-Montes.
The architecture of the Clock (alminhas), although it may exhibit robust simplicity, reflects the functionality and symbolism of its two aspects. Its construction demonstrates the use of materials and techniques traditionally employed in the region, integrating harmoniously into the built landscape of Canedo. The presence of this structure in the village is a testament to local ingenuity and a constant reminder of the passage of time and the endurance of faith, elements intrinsically linked to the lives of the people who lived and live here.
Observing the Clock (alminhas) offers an opportunity to understand an aspect of the social and cultural history of Ribeira de Pena. This place serves as a space of memory that illustrates how past communities organized their existence around temporal and spiritual references. Through its preservation, a significant part of the cultural heritage of Trás-os-Montes remains alive, inviting visitors to reflect on the interconnection of time and spirituality in the lives of Portuguese rural populations.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 41.6232316,-7.7335422
Coordinates DMS: 41°37'23.6"N 07°44'0.8"W
Weather Canedo
On-duty Pharmacy Canedo
