Good time will start to feel a little throughout the country, and while the summer’s warmth is not enough, you can always take the opportunity to go through some of the walkways that are scattered throughout Portugal. In the south of the country there are a few walkways that rise in a village that has been around for just over 20 years and that pass over a lake.
The village of Luz, in the municipality of Mourão, saw its history change forever with the construction of the Alqueva Dam. This hydraulic project, considered the largest artificial reservoir in Europe, brought development to the Alentejo, but had a high cost to about 400 residents who were forced to leave their homes and abandon the memories of where they grew up.
A village submerged by the waters of Guadiana
The ancient village was eventually submerged by the waters of the Guadiana River, in a process that deeply marked the community. In periods when the caudal goes down, it is still possible to see traces of what existed there, but for those who were resolved, the vision does not erase the pain of loss.
On November 16, 2002, the new Light Village was officially inaugurated, three kilometers from the original location. Built from the root, this new village maintained its name and sought to preserve the identity of the displaced community, offering new houses, school, health center, commerce and public spaces.
The Sanctuary and the Recreated Cemetery
Among the buildings transferred and recreated is the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Luz, rebuilt based on the original temple. The cemetery was also transferred in an effort to maintain affective and spiritual ties with the past.
In 2023, a new step was taken in the appreciation of heritage with the opening of the Light Museum. According to the official website, this interpretative space “narrates the profound changes in this territory” through photographs, videos and ethnographic and archaeological pieces.
Awarded architecture integrated in the landscape
The museum building, built in shale, stands out for its already award-winning architecture, which integrates harmoniously on the landscape of the Alqueva Lake. It became one of the main points of interest for those visiting the new village.
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Walkthroke
For nature lovers, the walkways of the village of Luz are the ex-líbris of this small locality. With 700 meters long, this wood structure runs through the landscape next to the albid, connecting the village to the anchorage and adapting to the ground.
According to the municipality of Mourão, the walkways are particularly “charming” during spring, when vegetation blooms and water level is higher. These days, walking around seems to almost float over the lake.
Panoramic Baloiço With Lake
In 2024, the light of Luz was inaugurated, the first panoramic sword of the municipality of Mourão. Installed next to the walkways, it provides wide views of Alqueva’s reservoir and quickly became one of the most sought after places by visitors.
João Fortes, mayor of Mourão, highlighted at the inauguration that this equipment “aims not only at the promotion and affirmation of the tourist potential of this place, but also from the entire county”.
Birds Mount resists time
Another point of interest in visiting the village of Luz is the Mount of Birds, the only construction of the old village that resisted the climb of the waters. This space has been recovered and is today the scene of workshops and cultural activities promoted by the museum.
The walkways of the village of Luz extend through a course of about 1.6 kilometers (round trip), serving along the banks of the lake and crossing small water and an islet. Along the way, visitors can enjoy panoramic landscapes on the mounted and rebuilt village.
Best time to visit
The structure starts from a lunch zone near Mount of Birds, just 500 meters from the Light Museum. They are accessible all year round and, according to local recommendations, the best time for the visit is in spring, when the Alentejo landscape comes to life and the lake flow reaches its peak. Write the blog that there are free parking places with the walkways.
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