Marruge Ecovillage

Marruge Ecovillage is a rural regeneration project built around a traditional schist village in the Caramulo Mountains, in the municipality of Tondela. Around 20 water springs feed the village. The plan rests on three strands. The first is settling a young farmer to practise regenerative agriculture: gourmet citrus, aromatic herbs, truffles, and milk and cheese from pasture-raised goats. The second is attracting new residents through a sustainable eco-tourism offer focused on water and wellbeing, which involves renovating the schist houses to be bioclimatic and fire-resilient, using local materials and regional artisans. The third is regenerating the surrounding forest to protect against wildfires and increase local biodiversity. Marruge already hosts wellbeing retreats, water therapy to the sound of waterfalls, bibliotherapy walks, forest bathing, intimate concerts, mindful cuisine, yoga, astronomy nights and traditional wood-fired lunches. These draw on the area's rich flora and fauna, including rare species, and on its terraced farmland and dry-stone walls. In the longer term, the vision is a car-free, digitally connected ecovillage where the sound of water is always present. It would be powered by a renewable energy community and sustained by regenerative farming for food self-sufficiency. Planned infrastructure includes: - rural cottages - a rural hotel - a pop-up restaurant - a village shop - a co-working space - a bike hotel - a nature spa - event areas for business and cultural gatherings The project's partners are PURA Arquitectos, the Freguesia de Barreiro de Besteiros and the Casa do Povo de Barreiro de Besteiros. They support its ambition to become a living laboratory for sustainable rural regeneration in Portugal that others can replicate.