Wine Press of Fial

Category: Archaeology > Olive Press

District: Viseu > Tondela > Fojo

Location:

The Lagar do Fial is located in the small village of Fojo, belonging to the parish of Vilar de Besteiros, in the municipality of Tondela. This site stands out for being set in a predominantly natural environment, characterized by the presence of granite outcrops that shape the surrounding landscape. Its location on a natural slope allows for an integrated view with the terrain, revealing its origin and purpose.

A Sculpture in the Rock:

This wine press is a remarkable structure, entirely excavated in the local granite rock. Its design reveals an ingenious adaptation to the natural environment and the needs of the time. It is composed of two distinct vats, functionally interconnected. The first, rectangular in shape, is connected to a second vat, which is circular in shape and located on a slightly lower plane. The connection between the two is made through a carefully sculpted channel in the rock itself, even though the circular vat is somewhat off-center relative to the rectangular one.

Traces of the Winemaking Tradition:

The Lagar do Fial is an eloquent testament to the ancient practice of wine production in the region. These facilities were essential for crushing grapes and extracting must, reflecting the importance of viticulture in the local economy throughout the centuries. Its existence offers an authentic glimpse into ancestral agricultural techniques and the way of life of past communities, which were intrinsically linked to the vine cycle and the exploitation of the territory's natural resources.

Heritage and Recognition:

Recognized for its historical and ethnographic value, the Lagar do Fial is classified as a Property of Municipal Interest. This classification underlines the importance of its preservation for collective memory and for the understanding of the region's cultural heritage. Its identification on site, through informative elements, allows visitors to better understand its importance and history, facilitating contact with this unique remnant of the rural past.

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