Socio-economic Program
A very brief history of the village and its surroundings
Idanha-a-Velha and its surrounding land once supported up to 1500 inhabitants. Rich in both gold and silver, and linked by the Pônsul river which flows into the Tejo river leading to the Atlantic Ocean, meant this village was once an important economic centre of Roman Lusitania.
Previously running the whole year around, the river is now mostly dry during the summer months. Much of the landscape has been deforested and converted to human agricultural land uses which, over time, have depleted the soils and local vegetation thus diminishing soil fertility and deteriorating the resilience of this social-ecological system.
The village and its people
It is true that the village of Idanha-a-Velha offers a beautiful setting – an important tourist attraction with its surrounding fortified walls, cathedral, ancient olive press, its natural settings, and the river. However, in the words of one of Idanha's inhabitants, ‘People are more important than stones’ – the reason why the community is at the heart of our project.
‘People are more important than stones’ – the reason why the community is at the heart of our project.
Nowadays, around 50 people live in the village. This community views themselves as a large family bound by the importance of tradition. A tradition they strive to keep alive, which includes the year-round cycle of nature and its activities, such as traditional olive and mushroom hand picking, bread baking in the community wood oven, and caring for their vegetable gardens. Through an informal network of mutual support, this community loves to get together around a cup of coffee and natter and chatter about everything; from the children and grandchildren who have busy lives elsewhere and come to the village from time to time, to the lives of all those who surround them. They love to talk about their village and are always willing to share its history and stories with the many tourists that pass by. They are the current guardians of many traditions, and dream of passing them on to the next generations.
Development of social and economic opportunities
The lack of young people and of local socio-economic activities, other than as a site for tourism, contradicts the potential for this area. The Idanha-à-Vida project therefore aims to create social and economic opportunities by supporting local initiatives. These initiatives focus on creating an attractive environment for the current community as well as for young people and others who wish to become involved. Supported by a wealth of knowledge and traditions, the activities of the project aim to not only engage the local community, but to encourage this transmission of history (belonging), of knowledge (gained over centuries), and of traditions (making this village uniquely Portuguese) between generations.
These initiatives focus on creating an attractive environment for the current community as well as for young people and others who wish to become involved.
The current situation of this village and its community is not dissimilar from that of other communities in rural Portugal. Like many rural villages, Idanha-a-Velha still offers a unique opportunity for the community to come together and to dream of a different and healthier future for this landscape. We are proud to be part of this dream and invite those who share our vision to join in our effort. Together, Idanha-a-Velha will once again become a lively village, through the conversion of a dream into a will that is put into practice – the Idanha-à-Vida Project.
Socio-economic Program
A very brief history of the village and its surroundings
Idanha-a-Velha and its surrounding land once supported up to 1500 inhabitants. Rich in both gold and silver, and linked by the Pônsul river which flows into the Tejo river leading to the Atlantic Ocean, meant this village was once an important economic centre of Roman Lusitania.
Previously running the whole year around, the river is now mostly dry during the summer months. Much of the landscape has been deforested and converted to human agricultural land uses which, over time, have depleted the soils and local vegetation thus diminishing soil fertility and deteriorating the resilience of this social-ecological system.
‘People are more important than stones’ – the reason why the community is at the heart of our project.
The village and its people
It is true that the village of Idanha-a-Velha offers a beautiful setting – an important tourist attraction with its surrounding fortified walls, cathedral, ancient olive press, its natural settings, and the river. However, in the words of one of Idanha's inhabitants, ‘People are more important than stones’ – the reason why the community is at the heart of our project.
Nowadays, around 50 people live in the village. This community views themselves as a large family bound by the importance of tradition. A tradition they strive to keep alive, which includes the year-round cycle of nature and its activities, such as traditional olive and mushroom hand picking, bread baking in the community wood oven, and caring for their vegetable gardens. Through an informal network of mutual support, this community loves to get together around a cup of coffee and natter and chatter about everything; from the children and grandchildren who have busy lives elsewhere and come to the village from time to time, to the lives of all those who surround them. They love to talk about their village and are always willing to share its history and stories with the many tourists that pass by. They are the current guardians of many traditions, and dream of passing them on to the next generations.
These initiatives focus on creating an attractive environment for the current community as well as for young people and others who wish to become involved.
Development of social and economic opportunities
The lack of young people and of local socio-economic activities, other than as a site for tourism, contradicts the potential for this area. The Idanha-à-Vida project therefore aims to create social and economic opportunities by supporting local initiatives. These initiatives focus on creating an attractive environment for the current community as well as for young people and others who wish to become involved. Supported by a wealth of knowledge and traditions, the activities of the project aim to not only engage the local community, but to encourage this transmission of history (belonging), of knowledge (gained over centuries), and of traditions (making this village uniquely Portuguese) between generations.
The current situation of this village and its community is not dissimilar from that of other communities in rural Portugal. Like many rural villages, Idanha-a-Velha still offers a unique opportunity for the community to come together and to dream of a different and healthier future for this landscape. We are proud to be part of this dream and invite those who share our vision to join in our effort. Together, Idanha-a-Velha will once again become a lively village, through the conversion of a dream into a will that is put into practice – the Idanha-à-Vida Project.