The granaries of Soajo, or Espigueiros, are the highlight of the village of Soajo, located in the municipality of Arcos de Valdevez, Northern Portugal.
They consist of a set of 24 granaries, with the oldest dating back to 1782. Some have a cross at the top, remnants of times when religiosity was part of daily life.
Built from granite, a plentiful rock in the region, and situated atop a communal granite threshing floor, or rather, a granite outcrop, which is a fancy word for a very large granite rock.
They have been classified as a Property of Public Interest since 1983, and amazingly, some granaries are still in use today.
It’s definitely worth seeing these centuries-old stone giants up close. So, care to join me on this journey?
Visit Soajo Granaries
Visiting the granaries of Soajo is an unforgettable experience, especially when traveling with children.
It’s incredible how well-preserved these granite granaries are. Perhaps being in such a remote location has helped maintain this heritage.
Now, back to the children. Imagine explaining to them that there was a time when corn was stored in those buildings to feed entire families.
I’m talking about corn for grinding into flour to make bread and for feeding chickens when other food was scarce. It’s a history and culture lesson right on the spot, isn’t it?
Moreover, the surroundings are beautiful, as we are in the protected area of the Peneda-Gerês National Park.
So, park your car and explore the granaries leisurely. If it’s raining, be careful not to slip on the rocks.
By the way, did you know that the largest granary in Portugal is located in the municipality of Cabeceiras de Basto, specifically in the village of Carrazedo?
Other places to visit in Soajo (and very close by)
If you’re currently thinking that it’s not worth traveling many kilometers to visit a set of espigueiros, then I’d like you to reconsider after seeing the suggestions I have for you.
So, very close to the village of Soajo, you can visit another magnificent set of espigueiros, which are the Lindoso Espigueiros, the town of Arcos de Valdevez, the village of Sistelo, and the Soajo Mountain.
These are just a few highlights, as there is much to see and do around here.
The Lindoso granaries
If you liked the granaries of Soajo, I recommend visiting the largest ensemble of granaries in the Iberian Peninsula, located in the village of Lindoso (10 km away).
In fact, I dedicated a whole article to Lindoso Castle and its granaries, as I’m sure you’ll enjoy getting to know them.
Visit Arcos de Valdevez
At a distance of about 20 km, you will find the town of Arcos de Valdevez, which boasts a very beautiful historic center.
Don’t forget to include a visit to Paço da Giela on your itinerary, as it’s a must-see.
Explore the boardwalks and discover the village of Sistelo.
Sistelo became known for its boardwalks, but believe me, there’s much more to see and do beyond the boardwalks.
So, people usually visit Sistelo to hike the trails, admire the terraced fields nicknamed “Little Tibet,” explore the viewpoints, and even discover the Castle of the Viscount of Sistelo.
This small village also has granaries.
I imagine you weren’t expecting to find a castle in a small village, so I suggest you explore this and other curiosities in the article about Sistelo.
Exploring the Soajo Mountain Range
The Soajo Mountain Range encompasses territories from the municipalities of Arcos de Valdevez, Melgaço, and Monção and reaches a maximum altitude of 1416 meters.
In fact, the highest point is the Alto da Pedrada, and there are several trails you can take to reach it.
Therefore, when visiting the Soajo granaries, don’t miss the opportunity to explore this natural paradise.
All you need to know about the Soajo granaries
Where is the largest granary in Portugal located?
The largest granary in Portugal is located in Carrazedo, Cabeceiras de Basto, approximately 147 km away from Soajo.
It measures 29.40 meters and is also known as the Espigueiro da casa de Fundevilla (here is its exact location!).
Where to see granaries?
The granaries are relatively common constructions in Minho, with the most famous, perhaps because they are the oldest, being those of Soajo, Lindoso, and Eira do Tapado.
What is a communal threshing floor?
A communal threshing floor is a place shared by several families in the village. In the case of the communal threshing floor where the granaries of Soajo are located, the site where the granaries are situated does not belong to anyone in particular and can be used by the village inhabitants.
Each family has its own granaries, which are passed down from generation to generation.
What are granaries used for?
Granaries are used to store cereals during winter, protected from the weather, rodents, with side openings for sunlight to help dry the grains.
Map and how to get to Soajo
The village of Soajo is located 20 km from Arcos de Valdevez, 118 km from Porto, and 427 km from Lisbon.
However, to make it easier to see the route to reach this region, we have added a map with all the directions below.
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