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All Portugal Idanha-a-Nova The Village of Monsanto

The Village of Monsanto

Houses are tucked between, on, and underneath giant boulders.

Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal

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A roof for eternity.   Lorenzo Martín Iglesias
  Alexandra (Nessa) Gnatoush
  Alexandra (Nessa) Gnatoush
  Realpeterpan, Oona Schumacher
  Concierge.2C
  Sergei Gussev
  detectivequinn (Atlas Obscura user)
Boulder house I   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
A cross   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Beautiful house I   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
On the streets of Monsanto   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Beautiful house II   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Boulder house II   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Overview of the town II   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
Overview of the town I   Vrielinkie / Atlas Obscura User
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  detectivequinn (Atlas Obscura user)
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Descending from the Castelo at dusk.   taotaoholmes / Atlas Obscura User
Bedroom view   gmredmann / Atlas Obscura User
  detectivequinn / Atlas Obscura User
Night lights   gmredmann / Atlas Obscura User
  estivalgalerna / Atlas Obscura User
Monsanto   estivalgalerna / Atlas Obscura User
  scudder / Atlas Obscura User
  detectivequinn (Atlas Obscura user)
  detectivequinn (Atlas Obscura user)
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About

In 1938, the village of Monsanto was dubbed the most "Portuguese town in Portugal." Yet at first glance, Monsanto certainly does not seem representative of the entire country. For one thing, most Portuguese houses are not sandwiched between gigantic boulders.

Defined by its landscape, Monsanto hangs off a mountaintop overlooking the Portuguese countryside, with views for miles.The mountaintop has actually been extremely important strategic position since prehistoric times. It's crowned by the remains of a Templar castle, which was partially destroyed by an explosion, in the 19th century.

The village has hardly changed in hundreds of years, and enjoys distinction in Portugal as a living museum. Due to this standing, Monsanto cannot be changed and has retained its classic village charm.

Its tiny streets wind at a steep grade past red-roofed cottages tucked against mossy boulders. Some of the boulders are actually fitted with doors, leading to structures carved right into the rocky landscape.

While the mountainous town seems a bit unorthodox, it is actually a unique twist on classic Portuguese architecture.

Walking along the cobbled streets it soon becomes evident that Monsanto is a microcosm of Portugal. The architecture even incorporates the Portuguese Manueline style on a number of buildings and a church. While it certainly represents the classic Portuguese village style, visitors will no doubt be more impressed with the cottages built in boulder chic than medieval Romanesque or Manueline.

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Intriguing Environs Architectural Oddities Eccentric Homes Outsider Architecture Rocks Houses Architecture Ecosystems Geology Homes

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Accessible by bus from Lisbon and Porto.

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serflac

Edited By

michelle, rodrigonevesdias, detectivequinn, scudder...

  • michelle
  • rodrigonevesdias
  • detectivequinn
  • scudder
  • Vrielinkie
  • Meg
  • estivalgalerna
  • gmredmann

Published

August 11, 2011

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  • http://www.golisbon.com/portugal/cities/monsanto.html
  • http://www.portugalvirtual.pt/_tourism/costadeprata/monsanto/
The Village of Monsanto
Idanha-a-Nova, 6060-091
Portugal
40.039382, -7.114235

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