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
Santo Amaro
Santo Amaro
Sertã
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Bem-Me-Quer
Bem-Me-Quer
Martim Branco
restaurants
Museu da Chanfana
Museu da Chanfana
Miranda do Corvo
restaurants
Fugas Restaurant
Fugas Restaurant
restaurants
Varanda do Casal
Varanda do Casal
Casal de São Simão
restaurants
As Beiras
As Beiras
Pampilhosa da Serra
restaurants
Callum
Callum
Oleiros
restaurants
João Brandão
João Brandão
Oliveira do Hospital
lodging
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Casa do Caminheiro Hostel
Talasnal
lodging
Sete Quintas
Sete Quintas
Retorta
lodging
Casas do Sinhel
Casas do Sinhel
Relva da Mó
lodging
Casas do Favacal
Casas do Favacal
Favacal
lodging
Casa da Moenda
Casa da Moenda
Benfeita
lodging
Arganil Municipal Camping Park
Arganil Municipal Camping Park
Sarzedo
lodging
Aldeia Ruiva Campsite
Aldeia Ruiva Campsite
Aldeia Ruiva, Proença-a-Nova
lodging
Hotel Parque Serra Da Lousã
Hotel Parque Serra Da Lousã
Miranda do Corvo
lodging
Casas da Mina - Hostel
Casas da Mina - Hostel
Cabeço do Pião
village
Comareira
Comareira
tour
PR2 MCV - Gondramaz Schist trail - In the Miller’s Footsteps
PR2 MCV - Gondramaz Schist trail - In the Miller’s Footsteps
tour
PR1 PPS - Fajão Schist trails  – Climbing the cliffs
PR1 PPS - Fajão Schist trails – Climbing the cliffs
Casas do Rio
tour
Panoramic Road: Barroca - Fajão
Panoramic Road: Barroca - Fajão
offer
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
Geological Walk in Sobral Fernando
heritage
Religious tour in Pedrógão Pequeno
Religious tour in Pedrógão Pequeno
offer
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
Passeio Geológico de Foz do Cobrão e Sobral Fernando
heritage
Chapel of São Sebastião
Chapel of São Sebastião
heritage
Igreja Matriz de Aldeia das Dez
Igreja Matriz de Aldeia das Dez
offer
Dia e Noite no Centro da Natureza
Dia e Noite no Centro da Natureza
village
Martim Branco
Martim Branco
village
Benfeita
Benfeita