The Minister for Tourism and the Economy, Pedro Siza Vieira, and the Secretary of State for Tourism, Ana Mendes Godinho, will be in the Janeiro de Cima Aldeia do Xisto on 18 July to attend the public presentation ceremony of the international accreditation Dark Sky® Aldeias do Xisto as "Starlight Tourist Destination” (see full programme below). It will be the high point of a great week in the Aldeias do Xisto, in which the river meets the stars and art meets science.

The Starlight Foundation has awarded the Dark Sky Aldeias do Xisto Project with the international certification "Starlight Tourist Destination". This project is led by ADXTUR - Schist Villages Tourism Development Agency in partnership with the Dark Sky® Alqueva Association and is co-promoted by the Coimbra Region Intermunicipal Community. Completing the network of initial partners are the Institute of Telecommunications at the University of Aveiro and the University of Porto’s Faculty of Sciences.

Alongside the excellent conditions of visibility, transparency, and darkness of the sky, this accreditation also attests to the commitment of public, private, and scientific bodies, and the readiness and quality of tourist services, augmented by the genuine interest of the resident community.

This combination of factors shapes a new tourist strategy that goes beyond merely observing the sky and becomes a strategic focus that reconciles tourism development with social and environmental sustainability, thus transforming an ostensible weakness in the area into a positively distinctive economic and cultural asset.

The Aldeias do Xisto are a brand-destination that, over the past few years, have managed to establish a unique enclave within the Central Region, and in the country as a whole, based on tourism, innovation and intuition. They have done so by always seeking out what is most distinctive and authentic in the landscape and in their communities, attracting investment and opening the door to projects that start innovating from the very essence of these places. The relationship with nature, with the land, and with the people has been the guiding principle of this activity, which seeks to revitalise the area based on its cultural uniqueness.

 DARK SKY ALDEIAS DO XISTO PROGRAMME

18 July, Janeiro de Cima, Fundão

• 8pm - 8.30pm: Reception for guests on Fiado Restaurant’s Patio
• 8.30pm: Dinner at the Fiado
• (reserved for guests)
• 9.30pm: Walk through Janeiro de Cima’s centre to the Lavandeira River Park (10 min.)
• 10pm: Presentation of the International Certificate for the "Starlight Tourist Destination" and the development strategy of the destination Dark Sky Aldeias do Xisto
• 10.30pm: Deep sky observation and a short boat ride on the river - "Ó da Barca!"
• 11pm: End of the official programme