Home / Arouca Geopark / Birthing Stones Geosite (Pedras Parideiras), Arouca
Birthing Stones Geosite (Pedras Parideiras), Arouca
In November 3rd, 2012 was inaugurated the House of Parideiras Stones - Interpretation Centre. This is a house that aims to contribute to the conservation, understanding and appreciation of this important geological heritage and to promote its tourist and educational visits. From a geological point of view, this geosite corresponds to a small granitic body, with approximate area of ??1 km2 and an estimated age of 313-320 Ma, known as nodular Granite Castanheira. This name comes from its proximity to the village of Castanheira and nodular texture of this granite, which gives it unique features in Portugal and as far as we know, anywhere else in the world. The nodules have a variable size between 1 and 12 cm and are made externally by a biotite cover and internally by a quartz-feldspathic core, performing strongly flattened, with a differentiated distribution and well-defined orientation within the granitic body.
CHARACTERISTICS
LOCATION
Address: Rua de Santo António Castanheira
City: Arouca
Postal Code: 4540 - 012
Telephone: 256484093
Email: pedrasparideiras@aroucageopark.pt
Website: http://www.aroucageopark.pt/en
City: Arouca
Postal Code: 4540 - 012
Telephone: 256484093
Email: pedrasparideiras@aroucageopark.pt
Website: http://www.aroucageopark.pt/en
FUNCTIONING
Weekly Schedule:
monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday
From 12:30:00 to -.
From 17:00:00 to -.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
From 09:30:00 to 12:30:00.
From 14:00:00 to 17:00:00.
Exceptions:
-
Paid Entry:
2€
Discount Policy:
Individual Visits: Normal Ticket - 2,5 €; Student and Senior (> 65) - 2 € Group tours (2 € / person | guided tours by 8 day advance booking)
monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday
From 12:30:00 to -.
From 17:00:00 to -.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
From 09:30:00 to 12:30:00.
From 14:00:00 to 17:00:00.
Exceptions:
-
Paid Entry:
2€
Discount Policy:
Individual Visits: Normal Ticket - 2,5 €; Student and Senior (> 65) - 2 € Group tours (2 € / person | guided tours by 8 day advance booking)
ORGANISATION OF THE VISIT
The visit to this Point requires prior booking and can be done individually.
Specific Conditions:
Touristic visits: book in advance through www.aroucageopark.pt or pedrasparideiras@aroucageopark.pt .
Method:
Transporte próprio
Difficulty Level:
Low
Group Visits:
Yes
Minimum Number of Person per group:
1
Maximum Number of Person per group:
30
Observations:
09:30 a.m. - 17:00 p.m.
Guided Tours:
Yes
Observations:
Reservations in advance of 8 days
Specific Conditions:
Touristic visits: book in advance through www.aroucageopark.pt or pedrasparideiras@aroucageopark.pt .
Method:
Transporte próprio
Difficulty Level:
Low
Group Visits:
Yes
Minimum Number of Person per group:
1
Maximum Number of Person per group:
30
Observations:
09:30 a.m. - 17:00 p.m.
Guided Tours:
Yes
Observations:
Reservations in advance of 8 days
EXISTING EQUIPMENT
Geological curiosity
Interpretation Centre
Interpretation Centre
MUSEUM / INTERPRETATION CENTER
Museum / Interpretation Center History:
Birthing Stones - Interpretation Center (Casa das Pedras Parideiras), opened on November 3rd, 2012, with the restoration of an old house, already in disuse, near the main outcrop of the famous Birthing Stones (Pedras Parideiras) geosite.
Activity Program:
Program 1 - View 3D movie in the Auditorium Program 2 - Visiting the Covered Outcrops, Open Air Outcrop and Reception / Store Program 3 - Visiting the area with Audio Guides Program 4 - Guided Tours by Interpreter Guide (General Public) Program 5 - School Visits (School Public)
Study and Research Unit:
In process of classification as Local Natural Monument.
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
-
Volunteering Programs:
-
Birthing Stones - Interpretation Center (Casa das Pedras Parideiras), opened on November 3rd, 2012, with the restoration of an old house, already in disuse, near the main outcrop of the famous Birthing Stones (Pedras Parideiras) geosite.
Activity Program:
Program 1 - View 3D movie in the Auditorium Program 2 - Visiting the Covered Outcrops, Open Air Outcrop and Reception / Store Program 3 - Visiting the area with Audio Guides Program 4 - Guided Tours by Interpreter Guide (General Public) Program 5 - School Visits (School Public)
Study and Research Unit:
In process of classification as Local Natural Monument.
Audiovisual and Multimedia Resources:
-
Volunteering Programs:
-
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE
Activity Description:
Guided tour of the House of Parideiras Stones. Fieldtrip - "From Mizarela to Parideiras Stones " and "In the tracks of the Serra da Freita " : These educational programs will take you to meet some of the most emblematic geosites of Arouca Geopark , including Parideiras stones . Perform a small pedestrian path and discover the secrets of the geosites of the Serra da Freita .
Target Audience:
Students of all school degrees
Activity Cost:
2€
Weekly Schedule:
monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday
From 09:30:00 to 12:30:00.
From 14:00:00 to 17:00:00.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
saturday, sunday, holidays
From 09:30:00 to 12:30:00.
From 14:00:00 to 17:00:00.
Exceptions:
-
Observations:
It is prohibit to collect samples from "pedras parideiras".
Guided tour of the House of Parideiras Stones. Fieldtrip - "From Mizarela to Parideiras Stones " and "In the tracks of the Serra da Freita " : These educational programs will take you to meet some of the most emblematic geosites of Arouca Geopark , including Parideiras stones . Perform a small pedestrian path and discover the secrets of the geosites of the Serra da Freita .
Target Audience:
Students of all school degrees
Activity Cost:
2€
Weekly Schedule:
monday, tuesday, wednesday, thursday, friday
From 09:30:00 to 12:30:00.
From 14:00:00 to 17:00:00.
Weekend and Holidays Schedule:
saturday, sunday, holidays
From 09:30:00 to 12:30:00.
From 14:00:00 to 17:00:00.
Exceptions:
-
Observations:
It is prohibit to collect samples from "pedras parideiras".
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
Security Forces
http://www.min-saude.pt/Portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=344
Where to Stay
http://www.naturveredas.com/pt/parquec.asp?info_numop=5&info_id=9
Where to Eat
http://www.naturveredas.com/pt/parquec.asp?info_numop=5&info_id=2
Cultural Facilities
http://aroucageopark.pt/pt/planear/contactos-uteis/loja-interativa-de-turismo/
http://www.min-saude.pt/Portal/servicos/prestadoresV2/?providerid=344
Where to Stay
http://www.naturveredas.com/pt/parquec.asp?info_numop=5&info_id=9
Where to Eat
http://www.naturveredas.com/pt/parquec.asp?info_numop=5&info_id=2
Cultural Facilities
http://aroucageopark.pt/pt/planear/contactos-uteis/loja-interativa-de-turismo/
TRANSPORT
Type of Transport:
Táxi
Agency Name:
Taxi
Telephone Number:
256944424
Parking for private vehicles:
Yes
Táxi
Agency Name:
Taxi
Telephone Number:
256944424
Parking for private vehicles:
Yes
SITES OF TOURISTIC INTEREST
Sra da Mó
A uma altitude de 711 m, do cume do Monte da Sra. da Mó obtem-se uma vista panorâmica sobre o vale de Arouca e Moldes e as serranias da Freita e do Gamarão. Aqui é também possível encontrar a capela dedicada a Nossa Sra. da Mó, de contornos muito característicos e que se presume ser do séc. XVI onde se realiza a festa em honra da padroeira a 7 e 8 de Setembro.
gps: 40.93287 -8.22511
distance: 0km
Albergaria da Serra Recreation and Leisure Area
Near the village of Albergaria da Serra the river Caima invites to moments of relax and contact ith nature.
gps: 40.86533 -8.27743
distance: 4km
Dolmen of Portela da Anta
On the Freita plateau, Portela da Anta ill probably be the most accessible megalithic monument in the territory. Surprising by its volume and the uniformity ith hich it develops from a small grave. Dating back to the end of the fourth millennium BC, it is curiously inserted in the beautiful surrounding landscape, in an interesting combination beteen life, reneed by nature ith each cycle, and death, hich may not mean the end of everything.
gps: 40.860599 -8.26168
distance: 0km
Merujal Biodiversity Station
Merujal's Biodiversity Station (EBIO) is located in Serra da Freita and is composed by nine information panels about the local biodiversity. Starting next to the Merujal camping park, EBIO crosses, for 1.7 km long, several types of terrestrial habitats (pine forest, scrub, oak oods) and freshater habitats (streams and peatlands), ending near the geosite «Frecha da Mizarela»
gps: 40.873205 -8.291827
distance: 0km
Tourism Office (Loja Interativa de Turismo de Arouca)
Inaugurated on September 19, 2013, the «Loja Interativa de Turismo de Arouca» is located in the center of the village, in the ancient «Globo D´Ouro cinema». This is one of the shops of the Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Region and one of the entrance doors of Arouca Geopark, being an informative, educational and space for several activities.
gps: 40.92926 -8.24816
distance: 0km
A uma altitude de 711 m, do cume do Monte da Sra. da Mó obtem-se uma vista panorâmica sobre o vale de Arouca e Moldes e as serranias da Freita e do Gamarão. Aqui é também possível encontrar a capela dedicada a Nossa Sra. da Mó, de contornos muito característicos e que se presume ser do séc. XVI onde se realiza a festa em honra da padroeira a 7 e 8 de Setembro.
gps: 40.93287 -8.22511
distance: 0km
Albergaria da Serra Recreation and Leisure Area
Near the village of Albergaria da Serra the river Caima invites to moments of relax and contact ith nature.
gps: 40.86533 -8.27743
distance: 4km
Dolmen of Portela da Anta
On the Freita plateau, Portela da Anta ill probably be the most accessible megalithic monument in the territory. Surprising by its volume and the uniformity ith hich it develops from a small grave. Dating back to the end of the fourth millennium BC, it is curiously inserted in the beautiful surrounding landscape, in an interesting combination beteen life, reneed by nature ith each cycle, and death, hich may not mean the end of everything.
gps: 40.860599 -8.26168
distance: 0km
Merujal Biodiversity Station
Merujal's Biodiversity Station (EBIO) is located in Serra da Freita and is composed by nine information panels about the local biodiversity. Starting next to the Merujal camping park, EBIO crosses, for 1.7 km long, several types of terrestrial habitats (pine forest, scrub, oak oods) and freshater habitats (streams and peatlands), ending near the geosite «Frecha da Mizarela»
gps: 40.873205 -8.291827
distance: 0km
Tourism Office (Loja Interativa de Turismo de Arouca)
Inaugurated on September 19, 2013, the «Loja Interativa de Turismo de Arouca» is located in the center of the village, in the ancient «Globo D´Ouro cinema». This is one of the shops of the Porto and Northern Portugal Tourism Region and one of the entrance doors of Arouca Geopark, being an informative, educational and space for several activities.
gps: 40.92926 -8.24816
distance: 0km
ASSOCIATED ROUTES
Geoparks in Portugal
Geoparks in Portugal UNESCO World Geoparks are territories with locations and landscapes of international geological importance, which combine the protection and promotion of its heritage with sustainable development. They are unique places where the oldest memories are millions of years old and include key locations that testify to the evolution of our planet. These territories are classified by UNESCO under the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program. Spread across all continents, geoparks are much more than areas of heritage relevance. They are dynamic territories of which local communities are part, where nature, history and culture are intertwined. There are currently 5 UNESCO World Geoparks in Portugal: Naturtejo (2006), Arouca (2009), Azores (2012), Terras de Cavaleiros (2014) and Estrela (2020). The Geopark on the coast of Viana do Castelo is preparing the future application, but its level of implementation in the territory, namely the educational offer it already develops, led to its inclusion in the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES, naturally without the status that UNESCO gives to the remaining territories. On the other hand, new applications are being developed, with several projects in the Oeste, Algarve and Figueira da Foz, which in due time may have their presence on this platform. To visit Portuguese geoparks is to embark on a journey that began 600 million years ago, when Portugal occupied a very different place on the globe, going through incredible episodes of formation and destruction of mountains and seas, of the appearance and extinction of species, of the occurrence of deep climate change, major volcanic eruptions ... until today in the relationship between man and the planet On this GUIDE the visitor will find a proposed itinerary to visit the most significant points in each national geopark, including, of course, the one located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Take a "good trip" on the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES and discover the interesting places we introduce you throughout the country.
Geoparks in Portugal UNESCO World Geoparks are territories with locations and landscapes of international geological importance, which combine the protection and promotion of its heritage with sustainable development. They are unique places where the oldest memories are millions of years old and include key locations that testify to the evolution of our planet. These territories are classified by UNESCO under the International Geosciences and Geoparks Program. Spread across all continents, geoparks are much more than areas of heritage relevance. They are dynamic territories of which local communities are part, where nature, history and culture are intertwined. There are currently 5 UNESCO World Geoparks in Portugal: Naturtejo (2006), Arouca (2009), Azores (2012), Terras de Cavaleiros (2014) and Estrela (2020). The Geopark on the coast of Viana do Castelo is preparing the future application, but its level of implementation in the territory, namely the educational offer it already develops, led to its inclusion in the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES, naturally without the status that UNESCO gives to the remaining territories. On the other hand, new applications are being developed, with several projects in the Oeste, Algarve and Figueira da Foz, which in due time may have their presence on this platform. To visit Portuguese geoparks is to embark on a journey that began 600 million years ago, when Portugal occupied a very different place on the globe, going through incredible episodes of formation and destruction of mountains and seas, of the appearance and extinction of species, of the occurrence of deep climate change, major volcanic eruptions ... until today in the relationship between man and the planet On this GUIDE the visitor will find a proposed itinerary to visit the most significant points in each national geopark, including, of course, the one located in the Autonomous Region of the Azores. Take a "good trip" on the GUIDE OF THE PORTUGUESE GEOLOGICAL AND MINES SITES and discover the interesting places we introduce you throughout the country.
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