GRAVITO

“Gravito is nestled in the landscape as if it was hugged by it.”

An old Portuguese schist hamlet situated in the forested hills of Beira Baixa, central Portugal, a region of lakes and rivers. Remotely situated in a self-contained valley with its river and lush spring and surrounded by oaks, pines, heather and ferns.

See pictures of the hamlet's location

RECLAIMING THE HERITAGE

Gravito was abandoned like many “aldeias” of its kind many years ago, leaving the work of generations to be overtaken by wilderness. We are restoring the buildings and the terraces bit by bit with the help of family, friends and volunteers. There are hundreds of metres of old dry walls to protect and reclaim in order to reveal all its potential and beauty.

PERMACULTURE & SACRED GEOMETRY

We are now planting orchards and designing gardens, reintroducing indigenous species and looking after the many varieties of wild plants that came with the land being abandoned for 70 years. We are aiming to create spaces that resonate with the surroundings.

A PLATFORM FOR HOLISTIC WORKSHOPS AND RETREATS

Gravito is a truly magical spot with many acres of land surrounded by forests. There is a great river swimming spot on the land with a waterfall, many walking trails and it is at walking distance from a river beach with restaurants and local cafes.

We will have individual terraces each with decked and furnished tepees for group accommodation, a large outdoor circle for practice and a giant yurt for the workshops, and a barn with kitchen and dining room for the groups. Our project is ongoing. The restoration of the hamlet will provide further accommodation in the future.

We aim to use homegrown and locally sourced organic ingredients to create inventive and nutritious vegetarian cuisine.

We have worked alongside therapists and group leaders over many years, running a holistic centre in the UK and are now bringing workshops and retreats to Portugal.

PHILOSOPHY

Inter-connectedness and awareness in the present moment are ways of being that we cherish and promote with humility and humour.

Meditation, ceremonies, work and music are paths we want to explore in Gravito to live this life peacefully and gently transform towards who we truly are.

“I want to do to you what the spring does to cherry trees.” Pablo Neruda.

Shobha is half Portugese, her great great great grandfather was from Gravito. She has been the managing director of the Relaxation Centre, a spa and holistic centre in Bristol for 9 years.

www.relaxationcentre.co.uk

Miguel is a Belgian designer and maker. He has been holding the vision for Gravito for many years.

www.miguelhumblet.com

Saul is Shobha & Miguel's two year old son. He is looking forward to climbing and picking fruit from the 60 fruit trees his dad has just planted...

What we Facilitate

Yoga, Chi Kung, Tantra, Meditation, Massage, Ceremonies, Shamanic work and quest, Music & Art workshops, Dance and more…

Excursions to mountains, waterfalls, hot springs, river beaches, sea and various Portuguese power sites.

We also organise Canadian canoeing trips and camps in a beautiful lake site near Gravito.

Glamping in Gravito

From the 1st of April until the 31st of October, you can lodge in a stylishly furnished tipi for a 3-day minimum period, with breakfast for 60 euros for 2 people per day, and full board for 90 euros for 2 people per day.

Upcoming Events

19/20/21st June 2012 - Opening ceremony

3-day event with visioning circles, sweat lodge, meditations, Yoga and live music.

(on a reduced rate for therapists and group leaders). Please contact us if you are interested in coming.

01-31 August 2012 -Yoga- Immersion course.

with Christopher Gladwell

12-22 Septembre 2012 - Tantra- journey. Holiday/ retreat.

with Suta

We are ideally suited to cater to groups of between 10 and 20 people. For this we charge 38 euros per person per day, based on at least a one-week stay. This includes accomodation in a shared tipi and full board. If you are interested in bringing a group to Gravito please contact us.

Work in Progress

The vision for Gravito is expansive and organic. Every year various targets are to be achieved during the off-season months. These include building the infrastructure for the centre and its gardens, develop the energy systems and the permaculture, restore the terraces and the river banks, forest managing and the long term tree plantation program.

We are welcoming volunteers and woofers this year from the 1st of March. Workers will work 5 hours a day, eat our home cooking, sleep in a shared tepee and participate in domestic tasks.

We are looking for inspired and positive characters who are not afraid to work. The skills needed are: Gardening, permaculture, carpentry, joinery, tree surgery, all round building, plumbing, child minding, cooking. Apprentices are welcome.

Miguel will provide training and share his knowledge in organic architecture.

We are listed on the Helpx website.

Address:

Gravito

3270-227 Vila Facaia

Portugal

view the map

Phone:

00351 236 098082

E-mail:

info@gravito.co.uk

How to Get There

By Train: The nearest train station is Pombal (trains from Lisbon, Porto& Coimbra) 50kms from Gravito. Transport, by prior arrangement, can be provided to take you from Pombal to Gravito.

By Coach: The nearest coach station is Pedrogao Grande, 3kms from Gravito (coaches from Lisbon's Sete Rios coach station, Castelo Branco, Coimbra - see http://www.rede-expressos.pt/default.aspx). From there you can either take a taxi (about 7 euros), or give us a call and we may be able to come and collect you.

By Car: From Lisbon or Porto exit the A1 at Pombal and take the IC8 until you reach the Mosteiro/Troviscais exit. 100 metres or so after you have taken the exit you will see a track on your left with three post boxes at its entrance. Take the track and, always following the main track, you will arrive at Gravito after a drive of about 1km.

From Spain (Castelo Branco direction) take the IC8 towards Pombal until you reach the Mosteiro/Troviscais exit. Take your first left which will take you on a bridge back over the IC8. After the bridge you will see a track on your right with three post boxes at its entrance. Take the track and, always following the main track, you will arrive at Gravito after a drive of about 1km.

By Plane: Gravito is situated between Portugal's main cities of Lisbon and Porto (approximately 2 hours from each). From both Lisbon and Porto you can get a train, bus, hire a car or, arrange a pick up in advance.

If you are interested in bringing a group to Gravito please contact us.

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