Discover Alcongosta: Cherry Culture and Old Paths

Alcongosta brings together cherry culture, historic paths and the landscape of Serra da Gardunha. This gives you different themes to consider when planning your trip: the history of cherries, a walking route through orchards and forest, or the architecture and traditional crafts of the village. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Alcongosta, these themes can help you get a sense of the destination and decide how you would like to spend your time.

Cherry Culture in Alcongosta

Casa da Cereja is housed in Alcongosta’s former primary school and is dedicated to Cereja do Fundão. Its permanent exhibition offers insights into the cherry tree, its blossom and fruit, introduces different cherry varieties, and explains how cherries were introduced to Portugal. The subject therefore encompasses both the plant and the variety of its cultivars, as well as the history of the fruit in the country. Casa da Cereja is a cultural point of interest for travellers who want to explore cherry culture and local history together.

The landscape also shapes this story: cherry orchards, chestnut groves and oak stands define the character of Alcongosta and Serra da Gardunha. So cherries are not only the focus of the exhibition but are also part of the landscape that characterises the village.

The PR7 – Rota da Cereja Walking Route

The PR7 – Rota da Cereja walking route can be started at the entrance to Alcongosta or at Casa da Floresta. The route descends to Ribeira do Alcambar and passes through extensive cherry orchards. If you plan to walk the route, check the current trail conditions before setting out, as they can change.

On the return, the PR7 follows old paths surrounded by an impressive forest of pines, Douglas firs and giant sequoias. This section runs very close to the old Roman road. The route therefore takes in different landscape features: cherry orchards on one part and a striking forest setting on the other.

Old Paths, Crafts and Architecture

You can still walk a section of an old Roman road in Alcongosta. It is thought to have served as a link between the north and south of Serra da Gardunha. The fact that the return leg of the PR7 runs very close to it makes the old road another point of interest in the area’s network of paths.

Traditional crafts also reflect the local surroundings: Alcongosta’s basket makers used chestnut wood from the chestnut groves of Serra da Gardunha. Today, this tradition is in decline. Another cultural point of interest is Igreja Matriz de Alcongosta, also known as Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Anunciação. The classically Baroque building adds the village’s architecture to the themes of crafts and cherry culture.

Woodland on the Northern Slope

Casa do Guarda de Alcongosta is located on the northern slope of Serra da Gardunha. The surrounding natural vegetation is characterised by chestnut trees and mixed forests of English oak and Pyrenean oak. This focus adds a closer look at the local woodland to the picture of the Serra’s landscape, shaped by cherry orchards and chestnut and oak stands.

This gives you different interests to consider when planning your trip: Casa da Cereja explores cherries as a fruit and a cultural theme, while the PR7 links sections of trail through orchards and forest. The church, old road and basket-making tradition also offer insight into local architecture and crafts. This can help you decide which aspect of Alcongosta matters most for your stay.

Discover more destinations: Aldeia Nova Do Cabo, Alpedrinha, Aldeia de Joanes, Barroca, Pêro Viseu, Silvares, Fundão, Donas

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