The art of building dry stone walls, also known as dry stone masonry, is an ancient skill that has profoundly marked mountain landscapes, where the scarcity of arable land required ingenuity and resilience. More than just partitions or earthworks, these walls play a fundamental role in preserving biodiversity, providing shelter for countless species of flora and fauna and creating symbiotic balances with agricultural activities.
Their construction does not use any binding materials, such as cement or clay, but requires specific techniques that ensure strength, durability and harmonious integration into the landscape.
On 26th May, it will be possible to learn and apply some of these techniques in the Schist Village of Cerdeira. The Ecologic Restore Centre Cerdeira (ERCC) and Planta do Xisto are promoting a workshop entirely dedicated to the construction of dry stone walls.
The programme also includes a visit to the Planta do Xisto project, which cultivates and produces aromatic plants using organic farming methods on the loose stone terraces of Cerdeira.
Registration, at a cost of €36, must be completed by 18 May; there is an early-bird rate of €30 available until 15 April. To secure your place, please send proof of payment to the Ecologic Restore Centre Cerdeira (ERCC).
Don't miss this opportunity to learn an ancient technique in the heart of Aldeias do Xisto. Book your stay now at bookinxisto.com.
