Parques de Portugal

Dovecotes of Cova da Lua

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It is difficult to know the origin of the dovecotes of Trás-os-Montes, as there are no known publications on the subject, or legends refering to them.

They are placed near the villages, taking advantage of the gentle slopes, and are either isolated buildings or part of a group of buildings. The dovecotes of the Bragança- Vinhais region almost all  have the plan in the shape of a horseshoe.

Inside on the walls there are holes which serve as nests for the female pigeons. There are also perches.

From an economic point of view the dovecotes were important to those who owned them since they collected the “pombinho” or manure from the dovecote’s floor, and used it to fertilize the land . From May to September, people used juvenile pigeons for food.

The abundance of dovecotes is probably due to the fact that pigeons enjoy cold and dry weather, one of the climatic charateristics of this region.

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  • It is difficult to know the origin of the dovecotes of Trás-os-Montes, as there are no known publications on the subject, or legends refering to them.

    They are placed near the villages, taking advantage of the gentle slopes, and are either isolated buildings or part of a group of buildings. The dovecotes of the Bragança- Vinhais region almost all  have the plan in the shape of a horseshoe.

    Inside on the walls there are holes which serve as nests for the female pigeons. There are also perches.

    From an economic point of view the dovecotes were important to those who owned them since they collected the “pombinho” or manure from the dovecote’s floor, and used it to fertilize the land . From May to September, people used juvenile pigeons for food.

    The abundance of dovecotes is probably due to the fact that pigeons enjoy cold and dry weather, one of the climatic charateristics of this region.

  • Norte

  • Bragança

  • Montesinho Nature Park

  • Yes

  • Access to Cova de Lua from:

    - Bragança - EM308-3.

     

    GPS: 41.886489, -6.821026

     

  • Agricultural

  • Rural.

  • Private

  • Enjoy the rich landscape of this area and take the pedestrian path of the Ornal.