The unique medieval round houses of the Alentejo

Near Marvão and Castelo de Vide hidden away in some small sleepy Alentejo villages you can find these unique medieval stone round houses called "choças".
These circular buildings are from the iron age, more than two thousand years old. They are made with dry stone walls and conical roofs made out of broom.
You can find several of these in the villages of Barretos and Cabeçudos and in the last century some families still lived in them.
Most of them are now used as storage or are in a ruined state and have been abandoned.
These unique buildings should be restored and kept as part of Marvão and Alto Alentejo heritage.

A wonderful Alentejo village

Barretos is a friendly small Portuguese village virtually untouched by time. A place of olive groves, cork oak trees, ancient pathways and unique medieval stone round houses called "choças", where in the last century families still lived.
It is our home from home, where we can slow down, relax, listen to the birds sing, sheep bells clang and rise to the beautiful Alentejo morning light.
The wonderful views are to Marvão, an imposing castle and whitewashed town perched on a hill and Castelo de Vide with its Gothic doorways, famous Jewish quarter and castle. Reminders of the arduous battles and life of the past, now places of peace and beauty.
Barretos, a place where we always regret leaving and count the days until the next stay.
http://www.casabrasao.com/