Category: Civil Architecture > Museum
District: Viseu > Sernancelhe > Aldeia da Faia
The Faia Village Interpretive Centre is located in Faia Village itself, a place with a particular history in the municipality of Sernancelhe. The village, once situated along the riverbanks, had to be relocated to a higher area in the 1960s due to the construction of the Vilar Dam. The Centre is thus positioned in the "new" Faia, providing a direct context for the narrative it presents.
The history of Faia Village is deeply connected to water and human intervention in the landscape. The dam's construction involved the submersion of the original settlement, leading to the loss of productive agricultural land and historical remnants, such as ancient rock-cut tombs. The Interpretive Centre focuses on this significant transformation, explaining how the community was forced to abandon its place of origin and rebuild its life in a new location.
The Centre's main objective is to preserve and share the collective memory of Faia's inhabitants in the face of such a defining event. Inside, visitors have the opportunity to explore this narrative through an exhibition that integrates various elements. Historical images document daily life in the old village before the relocation, while videos give voice to the testimonies of those who lived through this process. A collection of traditional tools complements the exhibition, illustrating the customs and activities that marked the community's daily life.
This space is more than a collection of information; it is a testament to a community's capacity for adaptation and resilience. The visit allows for an understanding of the profound impact of the dam's construction on the landscape and people's lives, and how, despite the loss of part of its physical heritage, Faia's identity and history were kept alive. It is an opportunity to reflect on the complex relationship between development, nature, and the traditions of a people.
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.pt
Coordinates DD: 40.9495694,-7.5461758
Coordinates DMS: 40°56'58.4"N 07°32'46.2"W
Weather Aldeia da Faia
On-duty Pharmacy Aldeia da Faia
