The Schist Villages (Aldeias do Xisto)

The Aldeias do Xisto, or Schist Villages, are a network of 28 villages in inland central Portugal, coordinated by ADXTUR — Agência para o Desenvolvimento Turístico das Aldeias do Xisto. The network brings together rural heritage, community life, cultural activities and tourism. Its name refers to a stone widely used in the area, but does not mean that every house is built of schist or that the villages form a single protected property.

Which are the 28 villages?

The ADXTUR presentation and official directory, checked on 2 October 2026, identify 28 villages in four territories:

Territory	Villages
Serra da Lousã	Aigra Nova, Aigra Velha, Candal, Casal de São Simão, Casal Novo, Cerdeira, Chiqueiro, Comareira, Coentral Grande, Ferraria de São João, Gondramaz, Pena, Talasnal
Serra do Açor	Aldeia das Dez, Benfeita, Fajão, Sobral de São Miguel, Vila Cova de Alva
Zêzere	Álvaro, Barroca, Janeiro de Baixo, Janeiro de Cima, Mosteiro, Pedrógão Pequeno
Tejo-Ocreza	Água Formosa, Figueira, Martim Branco, Sarzedas

Coentral Grande, in Castanheira de Pera municipality, is the 28th village. The announcement published on 7 July 2025 reports the integration ceremony held on 4 July. This update explains why some older references still list 27 villages.

Reading the landscape through its buildings

Schist houses, walls, watercourses and working spaces help explain rural settlement. Street layouts and the position of homes respond to local terrain and livelihoods. Look for these differences rather than expecting a uniform architectural style.

Candal, in the Serra da Lousã, provides a specific example: houses spread over slopes beside the stream; schist predominates, but rendered and painted facades also appear beside the road. Mills and an old olive press recall the use of water power. Coentral Grande, meanwhile, brings a strong granite tradition and a history associated with the snow trade. These are examples of the network’s varied landscapes and histories.

A programme of restoration and development

Implementation of the Schist Villages Programme began in 2001, with work on infrastructure, public spaces and buildings. ADXTUR was established in late 2007, continuing cooperation between public and private bodies, businesses and communities.

Building restoration, crafts, artistic creation and tourism services form part of this work. Retaining residents and economic activity remains a project objective; the network’s existence does not by itself establish that depopulation has ended in every village. The programme’s starting date also does not date the settlements or their houses.

Choosing a visit

For a first trip, choose one territory and a few nearby villages. The official map and village profiles help you connect heritage, trails, accommodation and places to eat. Plan around the actual access route and the walk you choose: map distance does not replace checking the journey.

Before travelling, confirm service opening and current access and trail conditions with the responsible organisations. Allow time to walk through the inhabited centre, understand former working spaces and visit local projects, while respecting private homes and land.

The Historical Villages of Portugal are a separate project with their own selection of places. Both offer ways to explore the Centro region, but membership of a tourism network does not replace checking the heritage designation of an individual building or site.

Photograph by Vitor Oliveira, 1 August 2016. Resized for the web. CC BY-SA 2.0.