Cerdeira - Home for Creativity

Nestled in a small valley at 700 metres altitude in the Serra da Lousã, Cerdeira - Home for Creativity is a centuries-old schist village that was once at risk of disappearing following the abandonment of agricultural activity in the mid-20th century. Through the determination of new inhabitants, craftspeople, and artists from across the world, the village has been carefully and lovingly restored. The revival began around 2000 when two families united to restore several village houses using regional building techniques, local labour, and ecological materials. The first arts festival, 'Elementos à Solta', was organised in 2006, and by 2012 the broader village project was formally launched. In 2018 it was relaunched as Cerdeira – Home for Creativity, and today the village is part of the renowned network of 27 Aldeias do Xisto (Schist Villages). The project offers eco-certified accommodation in beautifully restored schist houses that blend traditional architectural character with modern comfort. The Arts and Crafts School hosts an ever-growing calendar of introductory workshops, longer-duration courses, and family workshops in disciplines such as ceramics, woodworking, and basketry. Special retreat packages are available for nature retreats, corporate retreats, yoga and wellness retreats, and family mountain holidays. Social responsibility and sustainability are central to Cerdeira's identity — from the reconstruction phase through to daily operations. The project holds the EU Eco-Label certification and was recognised as the winner of the 2021 National Tourism Award in the Authentic Tourism category. Managed by Soulcraft, Lda, and with nearly 33,000 Instagram followers and a globally engaged community, Cerdeira stands as an inspiring model of sustainable, culturally rooted rural tourism in Portugal, proving that creativity and nature can revive forgotten places and create lasting meaning.