Xistopedia

A proliferation of candles

A proliferation of candles
villages and territory
It is with our eyes on the future that we will continue to light candles, persisting in the spirit of cooperation when standing up for communities and their way of life, and during our time here devise alternative ways of living, creating and investing.

Fulfilling its tradition, the Jornal do Fundão newspaper has published another Christmas Magazine. The following text is the contribution of the Aldeias do Xisto to this year’s edition.

Legend has it that there was a shoemaker whose hut was at a crossroads near a village. To light the way for travellers passing by, he lit a candle in his window every night. The outbreak of war led to the departure of all the young men, leaving the village sad and poor. On Christmas night, admiring the shoemaker’s constancy in keeping the candle lit every night, the other villagers did the same and lit up the whole hamlet. At midnight the bells rang out, announcing the end of the war and the return of the young men. Thus began the tradition of lighting a candle on Christmas Eve.

 

This is also the history of the Aldeias do Xisto. There are villages that persisted because someone kept the light on, even if it was only one house. People were still there, taking care of the fields, producing sustenance in accordance with the elements, having wisdom of the sky and earth, animals and plants, and preserving this knowledge for posterity. Lives clothed in a mixture of resistance, pride and love for what is ours. Meanwhile, those who resisted were joined by the visionaries, villages were rebuilt, businesses were set up, new pathways were explored, projects were realised, communities were renovated. Other candles were lit in those few that were still illumninated. The lights proliferated.

After two decades, the light is strong and the Aldeias do Xisto have affirmed themselves as a brand with a distinct identity, committed to the unique values of the area and its tourism offer. A path based on ancient foundations, but which brings together new players, thoughts and skills, generating challenges that attract demanding audiences and aware of the values they find here: authenticity, the purity of nature, communities with centuries-old traditions and a strong connection to the land and the surrounding environment, which is expressed in culture and landscape.

 


This is our message for this Christmas: it is always worth keeping the flame burning, however faintly. It is with our eyes on the future that we will continue to light candles, persisting in the spirit of cooperation when standing up for communities and their way of life, and during our time here devise alternative ways of living, creating and investing.

Our wish is that you have a very warm Christmas and a joyful New Year with those whom you love the most.

explore

restaurants
Bem Me Quer
Bem Me Quer
Martim Branco
restaurants
D. Sesnando Restaurant
D. Sesnando Restaurant
Penela
restaurants
Safra Restaurant
Safra Restaurant
restaurants
Varanda do Casal
Varanda do Casal
Casal de São Simão
restaurants
João Brandão
João Brandão
Oliveira do Hospital
restaurants
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
restaurants
Fugas Restaurant
Fugas Restaurant
restaurants
Museu da Chanfana
Museu da Chanfana
Miranda do Corvo
restaurants
As Beiras
As Beiras
Pampilhosa da Serra
lodging
Aldeia Oliveiras
Aldeia Oliveiras
Proença-a-Nova
lodging
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Talasnal
lodging
Casa Lausus
Casa Lausus
Talasnal
lodging
Casas de Água Formosa
Casas de Água Formosa
Vila de Rei
lodging
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Caldas de São Paulo
lodging
Mountain Whisper
Mountain Whisper
Gondramaz
lodging
A Boa Vida do Campo
A Boa Vida do Campo
Tábua
lodging
Casa do Talasnal
Casa do Talasnal
Talasnal
lodging
Casa Cova do Barro
Casa Cova do Barro
Janeiro de Cima
village
Benfeita
Benfeita
heritage
Igreja Matriz de Aldeia das Dez
Igreja Matriz de Aldeia das Dez
heritage
Religious tour in Pedrógão Pequeno
Religious tour in Pedrógão Pequeno
tour
PR1 PPS - Fajão Schist trails  – Climbing the cliffs
PR1 PPS - Fajão Schist trails – Climbing the cliffs
Casas do Rio
tour
Mining Territory - Cabeço do Pião > Barroca - GRZ on Foot: Stage 2
Mining Territory - Cabeço do Pião > Barroca - GRZ on Foot: Stage 2
tour
Cyclin'Portugal Centre of Ferraria de São João (P4 - Black)
Cyclin'Portugal Centre of Ferraria de São João (P4 - Black)
offer
Night Canoeing I Starlight Journey
Night Canoeing I Starlight Journey
offer
Starlight Journey at the Geoscope (Fajão)
Starlight Journey at the Geoscope (Fajão)
village
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Martim Branco
offer
Astrofotografia no Observatório do Porto da Balsa - 30 de julho
Astrofotografia no Observatório do Porto da Balsa - 30 de julho
village
Comareira
Comareira
heritage
Chapel of São Sebastião
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