Located on the high mountain Serra da Estrela is Monsanto, the most beautiful and special small village in Portugal, where people build houses and live in large rocks.
The most special stone village in Portugal
Photo: Amuzing Planet
According to historical records, the village of Monsanto was built centuries ago, once considered the heartland of Portugal from 1,174 to the 19th century.
Photo: Amuzing Planet
To reach the village, visitors need to go through a small path through the valley. Looking up at the mountain from below, the village of Monsanto looms over the red roofs among the low trees.
Photo: Zigzac On EatP
Catching the eyes of visitors are small beautiful houses hidden among large rocks. Small paths crept in the rocks.
Photo: Amuzing Planet
Monsanto now covers an area of 131.76 km² and has nearly 1,000 residents. The village still retains its most unique ancient architecture in the world, almost unchanged over hundreds of years.
Some of the houses are carved out of the rock weighing up to 200 tons. Others use stones to make roofs and walls. Some other houses take advantage of the openings of the stone blocks to create living space inside.
Photo: Xalima Muriel/Media Drum World
The houses here amaze visitors thanks to their uniqueness and beauty from the combination and mixing of Manueline architecture, which is a composite architecture in the 16th century.
Some houses have doors and roofs in the modern Portuguese architectural style.
Photo: Amuzing Planet
Another special thing here is that there are ruins of an ancient fortress, which acted as a shelter for the inhabitants of Lusitania.
Photo: Xalima Muriel/Media Drum World
The village was once voted “The only Portuguese village in Portugal” in a national vote in 1938.
Since then, Monsanto has become a popular tourist destination, with its strange architectural beauty and amazing views stretching endlessly over the Portuguese countryside.
The government also limited the construction to protect the inherent beauty of the village.
Visitors here often walk around the village and dine at some of the casual restaurants.Photo: Wheretogoto
Due to the mountainous terrain and narrow roads winding around big rocks, the main means of transportation for people here is donkeys.
Some beautiful pictures of Monsanto village:
