TSF report. In the heart of Serra do Caldeirão there is a Christmas village

The village of Parises, in the municipality of S. Brás de Alportel, celebrates the Christmas season with natural decorations, traditions and a special program

The village is located at the top of Serra do Caldeirão. It's cold, very cold. Humid weather calls for the warmth of an arbutus tree, a product that is one of the treasures of this region. Maria Serafina Ramos, 84, accompanies Sónia Martins and the two stop in every corner, appreciating what has already been completed.

Sónia, tourism technician from the S. Brás de Alportel City Council, is on site with a team preparing everything to make Parises a Natal Verde village, recovering some traditions, flavours and sayings from the mountains. "The ladies would come here and say: 'This is all a fandom'", he says with a laugh. At first she, who is not from the Algarve, did not understand the expression until she understood that “walking in a fandolirno" means “walking in a bustle”. Some of these sayings are so typical that they can be seen on wooden plaques spread around the village and which complete the decorations.

The entire village is “painted” in a green tone, such is the amount of vegetables that were placed to decorate each corner. In the village, typical mountain cuisine is represented, there are animals carved in wood, such as a porcupine, a donkey or an owl and lots of decorations and lights everywhere.

D. Serafina, who has lived in that village for as long as she can remember, is worried about the rain that fell the night before and fears that the weather could keep away visitors who could visit the mountain this weekend. “Everything is wet”, she laments, but Sônia encourages her. It looks like sunshine is coming in the next few days. Maria Serafina Ramos is one of 21 people still resisting in Parises, a village that was once very different. “50 years ago there were a lot of families, houses with six and seven people”, he remembers. Today there is only one child, 12 years old. The oldest in the village is her husband, now 93 years old.

Therefore, to alleviate this desertification and bring, at least at Christmas, more people to the mountains, the city hall of S. Brás de Alportel committed to decorating the entire village with the help of those who live there. Serafina was one of those who got their hands dirty. “I've been making strips to tie the flowers, anyone has the skills to do a little something.” She's also the one who's going to make the little flowers and has everything ready.

Although the village will be beautiful until January 6th, this Saturday and Sunday will be the strong days. There will be a small market selling typical products, such as medronho, honey, sausages. A fire will always be lit in the village where hot chocolate will be made, the youngest children can learn how to make a mouse or a Christmas star with materials found in the mountains and there will be a bean and cabbage dinner that will be distributed to everyone who visits the place. .

Sônia has already agreed with Serafina that this year it is up to her to make the babies again, but in her mountain wisdom, the villager leaves a warning: it cannot happen like last year. “The children didn’t give ‘avonde’, this year there must be control so that no one sells more than the bill for each person”, he suggests.

What is certain is that so much effort from so many people has been worth it. Maria Serafina hasn't seen her village so lively in a long time. And as he looks at every corner he says: “More people should come this year because it's more beautiful too, if the sun comes out more 'family' will come, it's more beautiful, yes.”

https://www.tsf.pt/3711093508/reportagem-tsf-no-coracao-da-serra-do-caldeirao-ha-uma-aldeia-natal/

And we at Soulful Bikes, who really like the road that leads to Parises, have the perfect suggestion on how to get there!

First, we suggest taking a motorbike with a top case and side cases to be able to bring the souvenirs and gifts that you will buy in Christmas Village. A good option would be the Honda NT1100 DCT or the Honda Xl750 Transalp.

Then, the secret way to get there. Leaving Soulful Bikes we head North along the N2, the heritage road that connects Portugal from end to end. We passed through São Brás de Alportel and, contrary to what the GPS would recommend, we followed the N2 towards Barranco do Velho. Immediately before reaching Barranco do Velho we will find a road on the right marked Javali. This is exactly the road to follow, the Boar's path. We pass close to streams that flow crystal clear water at this time of year and we go around green hills that create a road with delightful curves.

The Boar's path comes to a fork. To the right we can return to São Brás de Alportel. To the left side we can experience the best road that goes nowhere. So it is! The road has no exit, but until you reach the end it is 10 km of paved joy. We will not describe what the road is like. We will invite you to walk through it. About halfway through you will find the village of Parises where you can participate in the celebration of a different Christmas. The good thing is that when you leave Parises you have the way back to follow. And definitely with a smile on your face!