On 1 September, Rewilding Portugal will open its second local accommodation unit – Casa do Brigadeiro, located in the village of Miuzela, in the municipality of Almeida. Following the success of the Rewilding Centre in Vale de Madeira (Pinhel), which remains open and continues to offer more services and meet growing demand, this new opening reinforces the presence of the nature conservation organisation and its associated tourism in the Greater Côa Valley, expanding visitor capacity and promoting the link between nature conservation and cultural heritage.
A house with history and identity
Casa do Brigadeiro is a building of great heritage and cultural value, marked by family memories of several generations who played important roles in local history. Restored and adapted, maintaining all its original features, as well as various objects that tell the story of the property and those who lived there, it is an emblematic building in the region, a historic house that is now gaining a new lease of life, becoming a space that reflects the mission of Rewilding Portugal: to combine nature conservation with respect for the identity and memory of the territory, without ever neglecting its relevance.
The building remains in the family’s possession, who identify with the Rewilding Portugal project and its values, believing that this was the best use for this house: to open its doors to visitors, but with a strong cause behind it – to ensure that the profit generated goes towards nature conservation and restoration of the natural heritage of this region of the Côa.
“This project represents a meeting point between the past and the future of the Greater Côa Valley. We want every visitor to feel that they are inhabiting an authentic space, deeply rooted in the local culture, but in constant dialogue with the regenerating nature that surrounds it. Sleeping at Casa do Brigadeiro is to honour the legacy of this family and also contribute to a greater cause, in this case Rewilding Portugal. It is responsible tourism with a purpose,” emphasises Fernando Teixeira, Head of Communication and Enterprise of Rewilding Portugal.
A base for exploring the wildest parts of the Côa and a network of partners
With six cosy and authentic rooms, Casa do Brigadeiro offers a comfortable and intimate stay, being the ideal base for exploring two of the nearest rewilding areas: Vale Carapito and Paul de Toirões.
These areas, just a 15-minute drive from the property, are the scene of biodiversity conservation, ecological restoration and natural heritage enhancement projects by Rewilding Portugal, allowing visitors to discover the wild nature and rewilding potential of this very special region. For those who want to learn about the work of Rewilding Portugal, here is another highly prepared and capable infrastructure to make this possible.
The Wild Côa Network project will also play an important role here. Wildlife Portugal and Beir’aja, for example, two companies that offer tours in these rewilding areas, will be preferred contacts that can pick up guests at this accommodation directly to take them on specialised guided tours. In addition, breakfast will be served directly at the accommodation by a local partner, Mercearia da Saudade. Rewilding Portugal’s tourism offering is growing, but always based on these partners who share the same commitments to this territory.
An open invitation for the public
Casa do Brigadeiro is now available for online bookings and aims to be a gateway for travellers, researchers and nature lovers who want to discover the Côa region in an immersive way.
Bookings can be made directly on Booking or Airbnb. Link: https://www.booking.com/hotel/pt/casa-do-brigadeiro-miuzela.pt-pt.html
About Rewilding Portugal
Rewilding Portugal is a non-profit organisation dedicated to promoting nature conservation and rewilding in the Greater Côa Valley.
Through ecological restoration projects, nature tourism and community involvement, it seeks to create a landscape richer in biodiversity, capable of generating sustainable opportunities for local populations and new ways of looking at and exploring the territory in communion and respect for it.