A unique cultural and sensory experience.

The Serra da Estrela PDO Cheese Shelter aims to provide a unique cultural and sensory experience on the entire value chain of this endogenous product and its intertwined attributes, stimulating the five human senses using Technological Innovation, Virtual Reality 360º.

The project was born to mitigate the depopulation of the interior, particularly in the Serra da Estrela Region, Gouveia Municipality, Vila Nova de Tazem, thus contributing to local and economic development, as well as complementing the Tourist Visit that often seeks Mountain and snow and face the fenced access to Serra da Estrela.

It is aimed to national, international tourists, schools, universities and the local community, promoting a region that receives approximately 300 thousand tourists with a growth rate of 8% per year.

The opening date of the CHEESE MUSEUM is estimated to be between 2020 and 2021 with a dynamic young customer-focused team and their needs and expectations.

A unique cultural and sensory experience.

The Serra da Estrela PDO Cheese Shelter aims to provide a unique cultural and sensory experience on the entire value chain of this endogenous product and its intertwined attributes, stimulating the five human senses using Technological Innovation, Virtual Reality 360º.

The project was born to mitigate the depopulation of the interior, particularly in the Serra da Estrela Region, Gouveia Municipality, Vila Nova de Tazem, thus contributing to local and economic development, as well as complementing the Tourist Visit that often seeks Mountain and snow and face the fenced access to Serra da Estrela.

It is aimed to national, international tourists, schools, universities and the local community, promoting a region that receives approximately 300 thousand tourists with a growth rate of 8% per year.

The opening date of the CHEESE MUSEUM is estimated to be between 2020 and 2021 with a dynamic young customer-focused team and their needs and expectations.

What will the Shelter be?

The Shelter is constituted as a Museum / Estate with material and immaterial heritage on the ancestral manufacture of Serra da Estrela Cheese and all its attributes: History, Geography, Natural Sciences and Physico-Chemistry, Serra da Estrela Dog , the Shepherd, the indigenous sheep breed, the Flor do Cardo, the cheese and the manufacturing process, among others.

In the interior spaces it is intended to organize visit itineraries through the Exhibition Room, Interactive Room, Practical Workshop, Children’s Animation Room and Tasting Bar aligned with the concept Visit Friendly, Experience, Participation and Digitization.

What will the Shelter be?

The Shelter is constituted as a Museum / Estate with material and immaterial heritage on the ancestral manufacture of Serra da Estrela Cheese and all its attributes: History, Geography, Natural Sciences and Physico-Chemistry, Serra da Estrela Dog , the Shepherd, the indigenous sheep breed, the Flor do Cardo, the cheese and the manufacturing process, among others.

In the interior spaces it is intended to organize visit itineraries through the Exhibition Room, Interactive Room, Practical Workshop, Children’s Animation Room and Tasting Bar aligned with the concept Visit Friendly, Experience, Participation and Digitization.

Where is Serra da Estrela Cheese Shelter going to be?

Vila Nova de Tazem, one of the parishes of Gouveia, with about 2100 inhabitants and its patron saint is Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Includes the places of Tazem and Paçoinhos

Gouveia is a Portuguese city of Guarda District, located in Beira Alta province, Centro region (Beiras region) and Beiras and Serra da Estrela subregion.

It is located about 700m high, on the northwest slope of Serra da Estrela, the largest continental Portuguese mountain system.

Where is Serra da Estrela Cheese Shelter going to be?

Vila Nova de Tazem, one of the parishes of Gouveia, with about 2100 inhabitants and its patron saint is Nossa Senhora da Assunção. Includes the places of Tazem and Paçoinhos

Gouveia is a Portuguese city of Guarda District, located in Beira Alta province, Centro region (Beiras region) and Beiras and Serra da Estrela subregion.

It is located about 700m high, on the northwest slope of Serra da Estrela, the largest continental Portuguese mountain system.

Cheese Serra da Estrela PDO

Serra da Estrela PDO cheese is obtained from raw sheep’s milk from the Serra da Estrela Bordaleira or Churra Mondegueira breed.

It is a ripened cheese, which can have buttery semi-soft buttery yellowish white paste (Serra da Estrela cheese) or a semi-hard to extra-brownish orange paste (Serra da Estrela Velho cheese).

Cheese Serra da Estrela PDO

Serra da Estrela PDO cheese is obtained from raw sheep’s milk from the Serra da Estrela Bordaleira or Churra Mondegueira breed.

It is a ripened cheese, which can have buttery semi-soft buttery yellowish white paste (Serra da Estrela cheese) or a semi-hard to extra-brownish orange paste (Serra da Estrela Velho cheese).

The region

Located in the heart of central Portugal, this beautiful area called Serra da Estrela is a National Park. It is a wonderful place to explore. Ravines, cliffs and natural watercourses make this an ideal place for walking or driving on all terrain. In winter this magical region becomes a kingdom of resplendent whiteness. Serra da Estrela is the only region in Portugal with courses and routes that cover the entire Natural Park area.

Geopark Estrela

The fourth session of the UNESCO World Geopark Council approved ESTRELA’s candidacy for UNESCO World Geopark. This decision will now have to be ratified in the spring of 2020, when ESTRELA is included in the list of World Geoparks, becoming the 5th UNESCO Geopark in Portugal. Following the submission of the application in 2017, this is indeed the most important step in the entire evaluation process.

Dão Wines

Should we speak of “altitude wines” when the altitude factor actually makes a difference – how does this difference arising from altitude manifest itself? The simple and straightforward answer is that altitude makes it possible to make wines that are fresher and more acidic – characteristics that are currently highly valued (and sought after) in wines. Those who try them say that they have in their mouth the elegance of a velvety and magical aroma that endures like few: a long Dão flavor.

PDO

Protected Designation of Origin is the designation regulated by the European Union that protects the names of products whose production, manufacture and processing take place in a delimited region, with a properly recognized and verified know-how. It guarantees the consumer that the product has a different flavor and aroma, which has been obtained or processed in a traditional way, with a huge connection to the territory.

Want to help make this project a reality?

From volunteers to new patrons, we count on your help to make the Shelter a reality

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