Lime Kilns

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The Lime Kilns are on the eastern hill slope, in the village of Dine. The kilns can be visited and are easily reached through the pedestrian trail called “Termas do Tuela”.

These structures were built close to limestone outcrops and were, for a long time, authentic lime production plants. The kilns were a tradition in Dine, one of the few villages in the region that produced in such quantity.

The production of lime consisted in placing limestone and fuel in successive layers on top of the furnace. The lime burned for eight to ten days and then was removed through an opening at the bottom of the kiln. Then it was transported by oxcart to the national road where it was transferred to trucks. The lime from these furnaces was used in construction, in the Vinhais and Mirandela counties and also sold to Spain.

The lime produced in the village was sold and used for construction and also to paint buildings, considered at the time an economic activity of great importance.