🌿 Pego das Hortas
Pego das Hortas is a place of great natural and historical value, located along the Ribeira de Eiras, about 500 meters upstream from the village road bridge, in Casas da Ribeira (Mação) village.
This site was created by local inhabitants, who built a small weir here to capture and regulate the stream’s water 💧. From this point began an old levada — a narrow, shallow artificial channel designed to carry water from its source to agricultural areas and traditional structures.
Carved into the soil or adapted to the rock, the levada follows the natural contours of the terrain, maintaining a gentle slope that allows water to flow by gravity ⛰️. It often included features such as gates and diversion points, making it possible to control and distribute the water efficiently.
For generations, this system supplied water to the olive presses near the village 🫒 and ensured irrigation for the surrounding farmland 🌾, playing a vital role in the community’s livelihood. It also stands as an important testament to human ingenuity and the close relationship with nature.
Today, Pego das Hortas invites visitors to enjoy a peaceful landscape where water, history, and nature come together 🤍.