Idanha-a-Velha debates the future of architecture and historical heritagePhoto by Werner Pfennig on Pexels
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Idanha-a-Velha debates the future of architecture and historical heritage

oRegiões29 August 2026 at 18:00

An international workshop dedicated to the future of Portugal's Historical Villages takes place in Idanha-a-Velha, between August 30 and September 6. The initiative results from a protocol between the Faculty of Architecture of the University of Porto, the Association for Tourist Development of Portugal's Historical Villages and counts with the support of the Municipality of Idanha-a-Nova. The event is part of the annual plan of the International Centre for Architectural Design and Archaeology, a network that brings together researchers from the universities of Porto, Roma Tre and Valladolid.

The program proposes an in-depth technical analysis on the role of architecture in contexts of high heritage value, focusing on the transformation processes of settlements and the sustainability of the territory. The network currently implements the PROVERE Strategy for Portugal's Historical Villages 2030, seeking to reconcile the protection of built heritage with economic dynamization and social cohesion. Idanha-a-Velha, a Roman locality from the 1st century BC, was renamed Egitania in the 6th century and benefited from an intervention coordinated by Atelier 15 in the 1990s.

26 people selected from the three academic institutions involved participate in the workshop, with the Faculty of Architecture of Porto ensuring 10 places and their counterparts from Rome and Valladolid with eight places each. The technical and scientific coordination is in the hands of architects Pedro Alarcão, Mariana Sá and Luís Urbano, in a teaching faculty that includes Carlos Rodriguez, Cristina Casadei, Darío Alvarez, Luigi Franciosini, Miguel la Iglesia, Sagrario Fernández and Mário Benjamim. The opening sessions counted with the participation of Dalila Dias and Pilar Reis.

The program includes daily conferences, workshop design sessions and technical visits to the neighboring localities of Monsanto and Castelo Novo. The public presentation of the final proposals is scheduled for September 5, thus closing this edition of the workshop that aims to contribute to the future of Portuguese historical villages.

O workshop internacional em Idanha-a-Velha decorre entre hoje, dia 30 de Agosto, e seis de Setembro, para desenhar o futuro das Aldeias Históricas com peritos universitários europeus. A iniciativa resulta de um protocolo entre a Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto e a Associação de Desenvolvimento Turístico Aldeias Históricas de Portugal. Além disso, a organização conta com o apoio directo do Município de Idanha-a-Nova. As actividades integram o plano anual do International Centre for Architectural Design and Archaeology. Esta rede reúne investigadores da academia do Porto, da Università degli Studi Roma Tre e da Universidade de Valladolid.

Estratégia PROVERE Aldeias Históricas

Por conseguinte, o programa propõe uma análise técnica aprofundada sobre o papel da arquitectura em contextos de elevado valor patrimonial. O estudo foca-se nos processos de transformação da povoação e na sustentabilidade do território. Actualmente, a rede implementa a Estratégia PROVERE Aldeias Históricas de Portugal 2030. Dessa forma, os especialistas procuram conciliar a protecção do património edificado com a dinamização da economia e a coesão social.

A mítica localidade nasceu no final do século I a.C. sob domínio romano. Mais tarde, no século VI, a urbe adoptou o nome de Egitânia. O seu longo percurso regista igualmente a formação de grandes latifúndios no século XIX, com destaque para a família Marrocos. Por outro lado, na década de 1990, o Programa de Recuperação das Aldeias Históricas garantiu uma intervenção coordenada pelo Atelier 15, liderado pelos arquitectos Alexandre Alves Costa e Sergio Fernandez.

Investigação e projecto no workshop internacional em Idanha-a-Velha

O evento junta 26 participantes seleccionados entre as três instituições académicas envolvidas. A Faculdade de Arquitectura do Porto assegura 10 vagas, enquanto as congéneres de Roma e de Valladolid contam com oito vagas cada uma. Assim, os arquitectos Pedro Alarcão, Mariana Sá e Luís Urbano lideram a coordenação técnica e científica dos trabalhos.

O corpo docente inclui nomes como Carlos Rodriguez, Cristina Casadei, Darío Alvarez, Luigi Franciosini, Miguel la Iglesia, Sagrario Fernández e Mário Benjamim. Além disso, as sessões de abertura contam com a participação de Dalila Dias e Pilar Reis. O programa integra conferências diárias, sessões de projecto em atelier e visitas técnicas às localidades vizinhas de Monsanto e Castelo Novo. A apresentação pública das propostas finais encerra o evento no dia cinco de Setembro.

O conteúdo Idanha-a-Velha debate futuro da arquitectura e património histórico aparece primeiro em oRegiões.

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