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 18 October, 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.

During the workshop, participants will also be able to see centuries-old walls still standing in the village, living testimonies of how local communities ‘gained land from the mountain,’ revealing the secret of their construction. 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.

Don't miss this opportunity to learn an ancient technique in the heart of Aldeias do Xisto. Book your stay now at bookinxisto.com.