Manteigas
Portugal
Manteigas
Portugal
Manteigas
Portugal
Manteigas
Portugal
Manteigas
Portugal
Manteigas
Portugal
Manteigas
Portugal
LAND OF WOOL
In the heart of the massif is the village of Manteigas, a place of incredible natural beauty where it is possible at 2000 metres to breathe the air of the highest point of Portugal.
Shepherds have lived in these mountains since 1188 so the village is characterised by the craft industry of weaving, an ancient tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.
WINTER
20,000 years ago, during the Quaternary period, the glaciation in Serra da Estrela caused the accumulation of perpetual snow above 1650 meters. The long winters and snowfall in the mountains developped their own ecosystem and the arid, granitic soil set the rhythm of the activities. In the absence of favourable conditions for agriculture the shepherds had a big influence on the life in the mountains. The shepherds turned to the use of wool to protect themselves against the harsh, mountainous conditions.The Sheep – Bordaleira Serra da Estrela
In Serra da Estrela we find a distinctive kind of white, bege and brown color sheep.
Their expressive eyes and thin skin with a uniform colour are their main features.
WOOL
It is the most resistant fibre of animal origin, 100% natural and, like human hair, contains a protein called keratin. During growth it is lubricated by the sebaceous glands that secrete a waxy substance whose main component is lanolin. Bio-degradable and renewable, year after year the sheep produces wool that is sheared for its own good. Naturally elastic and comfortable it is used as a natural thermal insulator.MANUFACTURING PROCESS
Shearing
Spring is the right time to shear wool from the sheep to ensure its growth till the following winter. Starting with the legs the wool should be removed in one go. Approximately 6 kg of wool is obtained from each sheep of which only 3 kg are of fine wool.
Spinning
Spinning can be done with a manual or electric spindle which transforms the wool into yarn, twisting it to obtain yarn of the desired thickness.
Selection
For textiles only the best quality wool is used which comes from the animal’s back which is the longest and cleanest. The wool from underneath is very short and the rear area is very dirty.
Weaving
Cloth is made by interlacing weft yarns with warp ones. This method of weaving was known in Palaeolithic times.
BUREL
100% sheep’s wool fabric of medieval origin which has always been associated with the Serra da Estrela, the mountain, the shepherds and their capes. The authenticity of Burel results from a sequence of specific operations in the manufacturing process.
After being sheared, washed spun and woven on the loom the wool is “ trodden “ in a machine called stomper that beats and scalds the wool, transforming the fabric into sackcloth, making it tighter, tough and waterproof.
Factory
With many years of experience we are eager and able to respond to our clients’ needs in a language that speaks all colours and is ready for all challenges.
Ecolã stores
MANTEIGAS
Amieiros Verdes
6260-028 Manteigas
Monday to Friday
8am-6pm
+351 275 981 653
+351 919 736 720
Lisbon
Edifício Embaixada Praça do Príncipe Real,
n.26
1250-184 Lisboa
Monday to Saturday
12am-8pm
Sunday
11am-7pm
+351 914 926 065
PORTO
Rua Mouzinho da Silveira, 270A
4050-417 Porto
Tuesday to Saturday 10am-7pm
+351 914 926 065
Daily guided tours
Monday to Friday
Morning: 9 am to 11:30am
Afternoon: 2 pm to 4:30 pm
Weekend and Holidays
Saturday: 10:00h às 13:00h
Saturday afternoon, Sunday and Holidays: Advance booking
Institutional tours
Please contact for arrangements
