SERRANITASLITTLE MOUNTAIN WOMEN

Category: Culture and Entertainment > Museum

District: Viseu > Cinfães > Gralheira

Location

As Serranitas are located in the village of Gralheira, in the municipality of Cinfães, nestled in the heart of the majestic Montemuro Mountain Range. This specific location is Largo da Eira do Adro, a central and traditional point of the village, which provides a typical and serene setting.

A Mountain Legacy

This remarkable space was born in the old Tailor's House, a building steeped in history that today hosts a project deeply rooted in the identity of Gralheira. As Serranitas are a living tribute to the customs, culture, and resilience of the local people, in particular to the shepherdesses who, in times past, inhabited and shaped life in the Montemuro Mountain Range. Each piece created here serves to preserve and share the memory of these women and their way of life, marked by challenging conditions and a deep connection with nature.

The Essence of Burel and Nature

At the heart of As Serranitas' creations is burel, a wool fabric with unique characteristics: it is naturally waterproof, thermal, and very resistant, ideal for the mountain climate. However, the uniqueness goes beyond burel, as the creations incorporate materials harvested directly from the surrounding landscape of the Montemuro Mountain Range. One can find elements such as corn, acorns, and oak galls, or even gorse and heather sticks which, after being burned, acquire a white hue and are integrated into the pieces. This careful selection of materials underlines the authenticity and deep connection to the territory.

Craftsmanship and Memory

As Serranitas is not just a production studio, but a place where craftsmanship is elevated to a form of cultural expression. The working methodology is entirely manual, ensuring that each piece is unique and not part of a serial production. Visitors to this space have the opportunity to observe an exhibition of artisan pieces which, in addition to their aesthetic value, serve as testimonies to the ingenuity and know-how of previous generations, constituting a kind of living museum of local tradition.