Schist Village- Aldeia da Pena

Aldeia da Pena is a tiny slate-roofed village hidden in a steep valley of the Serra de São Macário which is one of the 22 schist villages in Portugal.  Built almost entirely from local schist and quartzite, its dark stone houses blend into the surrounding cliffs and vegetation. With only a few restored dwellings and very few residents (13 to be exact), Aldeia da Pena preserves a sense of quiet and unworldliness. The narrow paths, dramatic landscape, and the nearby stream create an atmosphere of seclusion and peace.