Slate Village- Serra do Açor

[Justiceiro]

After a few green card problems on behalf of the wife, and an unexpected stay at the American Embassy in Paris, I have returned with photos of my homeland-in-law. these are some shots from the Serra do Açor, a mountain range in North Central Portugal (East of Coimbra and West of Castelo Branco).

The Villages are composed of stone houses often made of local materials- in this case slate. About half of the houses in the village are abandoned, and the valley wich runs above and below it is littered with abandoned stone cottages and the crumbling walls of agricultural terraces. Unfortunately, the center of the country is rapidly depopulating, and villages like this will likely be completely abandoned in the next 10-15 years. As this is a 2 hour drive from Coimbra through really treacherous passes with one car width roads, I doubt that tourism can save it. So go and see it whil you have the chance!

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A nameless village on the path through the Serra to Piodao

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Sunset in Piodao

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A shot of the slate houses taken with my 300mm Orestegor from the other side of the Valley


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In the village itself

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Blue Door

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My favorite shot


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Slate Street


Not the typical Portuguese view. I will add more photos after I download them from my portable storage device, and catch up with crap from my real job.

[DoctorIt]

I like your favorite shot as well. The little hints of color in windows/doors of the various houses are a sweet.

[Justiceiro]

Here are some more from the Area

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A wide shot of the whole village

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More Blue Doors


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Church on the Main Square

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Abandoned homesteads up the valley

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The Obligatory "Rustic" shot of some abandoned homesteads and agricultural terracing. Notice the "authentic" Sepia tone!

[DoctorIt]

great scenery indeed, but to be honest, the photos were pretty ho-hum until that last "authentic" one. Got any more of the terraces?

[Stan]

Great journalism, you captured the essence of a tight knit community in decay very well. Great set tinged with sadness

Stan

[Justiceiro]

great scenery indeed, but to be honest, the photos were pretty ho-hum until that last "authentic" one. Got any more of the terraces?

Not many that are good. They aren't very accessible, and haze made telephoto shots a bit weak. Next tiem I will get there earlier for some better direct sunlight.