xisto lab

Xisto Lab

xisto lab

To defend and promote artistic trades, research, creativity and daring, experimentation and life change, in short, the settlement of people, projects and investment.

Presentation

The Aldeias do Xisto promote scientific and artistic immersion with a view to generating new experiences, prototypes, products and services, which increase and diversify the territory's offer. At the same time, they develop outreach initiatives to improve access to knowledge and new services in the villages and stimulate joint learning between inhabitants, tourists and visitors. 

An environment conducive to experimentation

Through several commercial, arts and entrepreneurial endeavours, Aldeias do Xisto have created ways to transform ideas into action and resources into returns. In short, to make the local culture an asset for economic and social development. This approach is structured around a model of research, creative immersion, representation and production, inviting artists, researchers and thinkers to develop projects and objects that carry a meaning and a message, and that stimulate the emergence of new ways of doing, living and being.

From concept to production

The focus remains on the laboratory format, crossing different skills, techniques (artisanal and digital) and audiences (craftspeople, artists, scientists, students and teachers), involving small industrial or family production units, through a project approach that is already well incorporated in the modus operandi of the Aldeias do Xisto: development of welcoming and creative immersion programmes, technical and artistic research, design, prototyping and production of artefacts, design of shows or artistic works, and development of projects, boosting knowledge and skill centres in the territory. For business and research projects, the Aldeias do Xisto have a network of knowledge and skill centres, physical and human resources, a solid network of specialised partners, as well as access to national and European financial support programmes. 

Knowledge and skill centres

Based in the various knowledge and skill centres in the Aldeias do Xisto region which combine traditional practices with technical and scientific research in a light-hearted approach to hands-on learning and in a close relationship with the community and its wisdom. This is the case, for example, with the Casa das Tecedeiras and the carpentry workshop in Janeiro de Cima, the Fab Lab Aldeias do Xisto, the community wood ovens where you can learn how to make bread in a wood oven or bowl, as in Figueira, and the ceramics and wood workshops in Cerdeira. It is hoped that they can also promote the settlement of people and companies by providing them with the knowledge, techniques and tools to deal with the various aspects of life in these places – so they are able to leave the urban centres behind and engage with the land, living and enjoying the whole of the country.

Welcome and experience without fear of mistakes

From music to craft-design, photography to drawing, gastronomy to literature, sports to leisure, over the years there have been many experiences founded in local resources and knowledge, based on immersion, inspiration and learning in a real context, combining traditional and scientific knowledge with innovative solutions for social interaction and integration. Some examples are: the XJazz artistic residencies, which have already resulted in four albums; the Craft+Design+Identity trilogy that ran several design and applied art fairs in the main European capitals; the À Mesa com as Aldeias do Xisto cullinary research and experimentation project; the exploration of the territory through art and photography with the Between Serras Project; the exploration through design of new ways to activate the capacities and skills of villages still have with the Project@X; artistic residencies in drawing (Desenhar a Essência dos Lugares) and literature; the Cyclin' Portugal project, which affirms the bicycle as a tool at the service of the development of the territories.

The Aldeias do Xisto promote scientific and artistic immersion with a view to generating new experiences, prototypes, products and services.

The focus remains on the laboratory format, crossing different skills, techniques (artisanal and digital) and audiences (craftspeople, artists, scientists, students and teachers).

Aldeias do Xisto develop outreach initiatives to improve access to knowledge and new services in the villages and stimulate joint learning between inhabitants, tourists and visitors.

Based in the various knowledge and skill centres in the Aldeias do Xisto region which combine traditional practices with technical and scientific research in a light-hearted approach to hands-on learning and in a close relationship with the community and its wisdom.

From music to craft-design, photography to drawing, gastronomy to literature, sports to leisure, over the years there have been many experiences founded in local resources and knowledge.

explore

restaurants
Varanda do Casal
Varanda do Casal
Casal de São Simão
restaurants
As Beiras
As Beiras
Pampilhosa da Serra
restaurants
Fiado
Fiado
Janeiro de Cima
restaurants
Bem-Me-Quer
Bem-Me-Quer
Martim Branco
restaurants
Fugas Restaurant
Fugas Restaurant
restaurants
Casa da Ti Augusta
Casa da Ti Augusta
Figueira
restaurants
Callum
Callum
Oleiros
restaurants
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
Sabores da Aldeia Restaurant
restaurants
Museu da Chanfana
Museu da Chanfana
Miranda do Corvo
lodging
Aldeia Oliveiras
Aldeia Oliveiras
Proença-a-Nova
lodging
Casa do Talasnal
Casa do Talasnal
Talasnal
lodging
Casa Lausus
Casa Lausus
Talasnal
lodging
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Talasnal
lodging
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Aqua Village Health Resort & SPA
Caldas de São Paulo
lodging
Mountain Whisper
Mountain Whisper
Gondramaz
lodging
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casas da Serra do Açor
Casal Novo, Arganil
lodging
Casa Cova do Barro
Casa Cova do Barro
Janeiro de Cima
lodging
Casas de Água Formosa
Casas de Água Formosa
Vila de Rei
offer
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
offer
Dia e Noite no Centro da Natureza
Dia e Noite no Centro da Natureza
tour
Mining Territory [GRZ - MTB sector 3]
Mining Territory [GRZ - MTB sector 3]
village
Figueira
Figueira
offer
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
tour
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Schist Walking Trail of Aldeia das Dez 3 – The Footprint of the Ermit
Hotel Rural Quinta da Geia
village
Ferraria de São João
Ferraria de São João
heritage
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
Alvoco das Várzeas Medieval Bridge
tour
Irrigating Cova da Beira [GRZ - MTB Sector 2]
Irrigating Cova da Beira [GRZ - MTB Sector 2]
heritage
Church of São Bartolomeu
Church of São Bartolomeu
heritage
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
Roman Villa of Rabaçal
village
Sobral de São Miguel
Sobral de São Miguel

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