In Serpins, watercourses and industrial history meet older architectural landmarks: the Eco-Trilhos: Percursos e Levadas na Vila de Serpins follows levadas from the Ceira, while the paper mill, pelourinho and Ponte Velha represent different historical periods. This gives you two distinct themes for your stay: waterways and local history.
Levadas and the river
The Eco-Trilhos: Percursos e Levadas na Vila de Serpins, described in June 2023, follows the levadas that start at the River Ceira. The route description names a watermill supplied by a levada also fed by the Ceira as the starting point. From there, the route heads towards Serpins river beach. This shows the specific relationship between the river, the levada and the mill: the Ceira feeds the watercourse, and the mill is connected to this levada. The directions to the river beach add a second point of reference for planning around the theme of water management.
Paper history in Boque
The Fábrica de Papel do Boque is located in the Boque district of Serpins, on the banks of the River Ceira, and was founded in 1861. One of the factory’s continuously operating paper machines was the first of its kind to be put into operation in Portugal. This makes the site a specific reference point for the town’s industrial history: the founding year dates the start of the factory, while the machine represents a particular technical achievement. The complex has been abandoned and is in an advanced state of ruin. Its founding, former production achievement and current condition therefore belong to different periods in the history of the same site.
Two distinct connections with the Ceira stand out here. The Eco-Trilhos route is about water reaching a mill via a levada; the Fábrica de Papel do Boque, meanwhile, is described by its riverside location. The Ceira thus has two specific roles: as the water source for the levada and as the river on whose banks an industrial complex stands.
Pelourinho and Ponte Velha
The Pelourinho de Serpins dates from the 16th century and was re-erected at its current location in the 1930s. Its original construction and subsequent re-erection therefore took place at different times. The Ponte Velha consists of the remains of the piers of a medieval bridge dating back to the 14th century. In comparison, the 14th-century date refers to the bridge’s origins, while the 1930s mark the pelourinho’s re-erection at its current location. These two traces of the past help distinguish the age of a structure from its later re-erection.
River beach and visitor information
Praia Fluvial da Senhora da Graça is located on the River Ceira in the municipality of Serpins. It has an outdoor car park. If you are planning a visit to the beach, check the facilities before you travel. The beach adds a distinct connection with the Ceira to the historical and route-related themes.
Discover more destinations: LousĂŁ
Go to the main travel guide: LousĂŁ.
