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20 Apr 2025
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Details
Description
Permaculture project with idea and space to create an eco-village.
The quinta is located in Alto Alentejo 2 km from Portalegre. Fifteen hectares with magical forests and a beautiful valley provided by seventeen sources and several mines with healthy water where three people live permanently: Alex, coming from healthcare, Isabel, a communication manager and Michel, a carpenter who is the founder of the project. There is also one dog, five cats, five chickens and seven sheeps.
The project is now in the phase when it’s open so that more people can live here. Because parts of the ruins are ready for occupancy, there is space for people who want to stay longer, which can bring new and stronger dynamics throughout the year, not like before, when there was only a lot going on in the summer months.
So far there is already a beautiful gardens going on and numerous species of plants, shrubs and trees which deliver us plenty of food. We are happy when someone shows enthusiasm for the garden because this is a central part of the project, demanding constant care. We can provide knowledge and guidance but we are also very interested in learning from more experienced and knowledgeable people.
Happy when you are not shy about working hard and willing to make your two hands dirty. In this case, you will have plenty of opportunities to learn about sustainable living while contributing to the daily tasks and bringing the project further.
In the coming months the plans are so far paving with natural stones, doing construction jobs in and outside the house, in the pizza oven building there is still clay work to do and we want to build an outdoor warm bath.
Please bring:
Biological soap and cosmetics,...... and peaceful energy ;)
Attachment:
And now to the initial project of building a small ecovillage.
When Michel bought this wonderful land in 2016 that was after his permaculture course. He knew because of the size of the project, there would be a lot of work that could not be done alone. And that there was space and development opportunities for more people here
Now this idea is still open and more present then ever.
But how do you find the people who suit you? Therefore this little appendix here …
The idea of how this can work together is that we agree on a few basic life goals. Beyond that there is plenty of space for private life. More like a village life with community projects such as maintenance, gardens and animals.
- Ecology: we would rather address people who share ecological values without becoming too ideological (e.g. we have a tractor and other small machines that make noise although we are convinced of the basic ideas of permaculture. At the beginning, the project was more uncompromising . Michel tried to get support from volunteer work, but he didn’t get the job done and besides, you cannot ask too much of the volunteer work, that comes very close to exploitation).
- Valid: it would be optimal if you are financially secure when you get here, but beyond that, with a little bit of savings for the start, you can start a small company, e.g. Brew beer, collect chestnuts and market them, or other agricultural products or whatever ... ..
- Living: the house offers space for 2 more couples (you live as a neighbor on rent). That would be legal, easy and fast to regulate.
What could also be possible is a treehouse, a yurt or other shelter, self-financed and built.
Hope the text here finds resonance and something emerges ...
- Another perhaps important thing, from our experiences from shared flats and the volunteers who have already been here. We live in a world that is becoming more and more complex, there are so many big and small differences, due to our different experiences and ideas that we have about this world. This should be a place of exchange in many respects, crafts, art, music and philosophy.
That means closed worldviews are alien to us.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Here at 700 meters in a beautiful part of the national park with a large biodiversity, you will find healthy air and spring water, no intensive agriculture and no heavy industry in the area. Great to regenerate and to ground yourself.
In addition, there is the beautiful town of Portalegre not far from us.
Anyway, in summer we take life easy here in the Alentejo when it gets really hot. We are close to beautiful lakes and waterfalls, where we often meet friends
There are regularly parties with music and good food here or on friends places.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The work involved in the project is very diverse. From the wilderness that prevailed here before the land was bought, we try to create a small self-sufficient farm with the knowledge of permaculture.
The help we suggest is 4 hours, 5 days a week. We start in the morning with a small meeting where everything can be planned and discussed. There are some priorities, but we are open to creativity in the implementation and happy when people can bring in their knowledge.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
There are 2 rooms in the large house that dates back to the 17th century. Life like in the middle ages only with more comfort and sleeping options for 5 people.
Now for more people who want to come, we set up in the warm season the new yurt on a platform in the oak trees that gives 2 more sleeping possibilities. There is also a caravan where up to two people can sleep.
We will be providing bedding and tents for the Workawayers, you dont need to bring your own tent.
There is a communal kitchen with a common room and there is also a hot shower.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (15)
All three are very kind, fun and open minded people! We had some deep conversations, creative cooking sessions and lots of fun and laughter. I appreciated their open communication and scheduling of work/ free time, very fair and transparent! They were very… read more
We learned how to shave wood, build with wood, and make stone floors. We also learned some cooking… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
All three are very kind, fun and open minded people! We had some deep conversations, creative cooking sessions and lots of fun and laughter. I appreciated their open communication and scheduling of work/ free time, very fair and transparent! They were very… read more
We learned how to shave wood, build with wood, and make stone floors. We also learned some cooking… read more
I always wanted to do clay/straw walls, stone walls, mushroom picking and learn a bit more about… read more
And then there were the many social moments, there was a lot of laughter and fun when you were here.
Thanks to you both.
The place is in the middle of the nature, so perfect for getting creative and relaxing your soul. But there is also enough time to have some parties.
But we really enjoyed helping out, to see how this beautiful place gets from… read more
I got to know Michel as a very warm, generous, loyal person who always has an eye on the well-being of his volunteers.
The daily work was structured by the morning meetings and yet freely selectable. So every day was varied… read more
When I look back at all the many jobs they did with a lot of skill during this time and not to forget that delicious eat what they dished to us. Really all-rounders who are not above themselves to sometimes tackle hard.
I hope… read more
I worked as a volunteer on Michel's property for about six weeks. There are a lot of different tasks to do here. From building fences, gardening, digging up the compost, preparing firewood to looking for runaway sheep;) I learned a lot during my time in this place, had great encounters with other people and am grateful for good… read more
Mitch and Diana are wonderful people, the place is really amazing. The job is alway diferent: I worked on the garden, helpng Mitch with the refurbishment of part of the house, fencing, building with wood.
The food that Diana prepared was simply amazing and in the end of the day, after a great meal, we had always a nice… read more
