Lugar da Lapa
The intervention at Lugar da Lapa focused on the sanctuary and its surrounding pilgrim paths. Our main goal was to enhance the area’s natural, cultural, and religious heritage while improving comfort for residents, pilgrims, and visitors. The site, set within the Serra da Lapa, is defined by rugged granite terrain, streams, and native woodland. Preserving this delicate balance was the guiding principle for every design decision.
We reorganized and expanded the parking areas, creating a new, structured plaza near the Nossa Senhora da Piedade viewpoint. The surrounding landscape was restored through careful earthworks and the planting of native species. Avenida Padre Francisco Pinto Ferreira was completely upgraded with new paving and integrated stone benches that serve both as seating and as a way to control traffic. We also built a new, partially buried support facility for pilgrims; its green roof allows it to blend discreetly into the hillside.
Pedestrian access was significantly improved. A new trail now runs along the stream between the support building and the Fonte dos Clérigos. In this area, we removed invasive plants, stabilized the stream bank with natural stone, and installed stepping stones for safe crossing. The Fonte dos Clérigos itself was rehabilitated by removing excessive concrete, planting native birches and alders, and adding granite platforms to restore the area’s natural, peaceful character.
The project included renovating the public restrooms and restoring the community oven. We stabilized its base, rebuilt the granite walls, and added an outdoor platform that doubles as a viewpoint. At Largo da Feira and the Miradouro do Marco, we focused on cleaning and landscape enhancement, ensuring that symbolic elements like the stone cross and sculpture were preserved and highlighted.
We also organized a dedicated area for mobile vendors, using oak trees to provide shade and shelter, and rehabilitated the 651-meter path leading to the Vouga River springs, restoring communal stone tanks and using natural paving throughout.
Across the entire project, we prioritized traditional materials and a light touch on the land. By balancing the needs of visitors with the protection of the local heritage, we ensured that this increase in tourism would never come at the cost of Lugar da Lapa’s authenticity or environmental integrity.
