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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

PORTUGAL VILLAGE BUILT IN AND AROUND GIGANTIC 200-TONNE BOULDERS

Architecture completely adapted to geology.  But why did they choose to build there in the first place?

'I like that boulder. That is a nice boulder': Villagers in Monsanto, Portugal have made their homes around ancient boulders
 
  • Mountaintop village of Monsanto, in eastern Portugal, sits 2,486 above sea level 
  • Locals have adapted homes around the enormous boulders, rather than attempting to move them
  • Some of the granite stone houses date back to 16th century 

  • Inspiration for Hobbiton? The lush green land with homes built into the landscape looks like something out of Lord of the Rings
    The lush green land with homes built into the landscape looks like something
    out of Lord of the Rings


    Living beneath a roof that weighs more than the average cruise ship may make some people a little nervous.   But it is commonplace for the villagers of Monsanto in Portugal, who adapted their homes around the environment, filled with gigantic granite boulders.
     
    Medieval: The ancient village, formed out of the granite rocks on the mountain, has stood the test of time
    A surreal environment
     
    In the mountaintop village, homes are sandwiched between, under and even in the 200-tonne rocks.   The enormous boulders have been utilised as walls, floors, and roofs for houses dating back to the 16th century.
    The village that time forgot: These beautiful pictures were captured by Xalima Miriel, from Spain
     
    In 1938, Monsanto was named 'the most Portuguese village in Portugal', though its jaw-dropping land forms make it anything but regular.  Located in the municipality of Idanha-a-Nova, in eastern Portugal near the Spanish border, Monsanto sits at 2,486 feet above sea level and has spectacular views.
     
    Watch your head! The boulders, weighing up to 200-tonnes, have been utilised for walls, floors and even ceilings (pictured)
    Definitely claustrophobic
     
     
    Donkey is the preferred form of transport for Monsanto's 800 residents, who have managed to maintain the village's medieval character. 
     
    Landscape: The cliffs surrounding the village are strewn with enormous rocks
     
    Xalima Miriel 700-miles from her home in Irun, Spain, took these extraordinary pictures of this rock village that time forgot.
     
    Source
     
    RELATED

    Portugal is earthquake country.  Lisbon was flattened by an earthquake in 1775.  And yet, there we see a village built in rather precarious terrain, in the way of possible rolling boulders.
     
    The Lisbon earthquake of 1755
     
     

    Lisbon, Portugal, was struck by a great earthquake on 1 November 1755. This copper engraving, made that year, shows the city in ruins and in flames. Tsunamis rush upon the shore, destroying the wharfs. The engraving is also noteworthy in showing highly disturbed water in the harbor, which sank many ships. Passengers in the left foreground show signs of panic.
     
    Read more
    http://geology.about.com/library/bl/bllisbon1755eq.htm

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