Little Ants' Cardenha

Nestled between stone walls and moss, Cardenha das Formiguinhas, located in Branda de Santo António de Val de Poldros, invites you to slow down and experience the authenticity of centuries-old traditions, where every night spent here is a return to your roots and to the serenity of nature! The space Nestled between stone walls and moss, Cardenha das Formiguinhas, located in Branda de Santo António de Val de Poldros, invites you to slow down and experience the authenticity of centuries-old traditions, where every night spent here is a return to your roots and to the serenity of nature! The name “Formiguinhas” comes from the nickname of the family, who now own the house, which was passed on to their 3 daughters – hence “Formiguinhas”! Restored with great care and attention to detail, this accommodation invites you to step through its small door into the grandeur of character that has been lovingly and tastefully preserved! Cardenha das Formiguinhas is actually a group of 3 cardenhas that tell us a little about the history of the architectural evolution of these dwellings, which date back to the 12th century. On the first floor, which has 2 levels, upstairs, we find the kitchen with an electric stove, fridge, microwave, air fryer, toaster, coffee maker, and electric coffee pot. Equipped with dishes and utensils so you can prepare your meals with a mountain flavor! Downstairs, going down the stairs, which are veritable works of art in the house, you will find the living area with a bar, sofa (sofa bed), wood-burning stove, Smart TV, and free Wi-Fi. Exiting through the door of this cottage and entering the middle cottage, which has only one floor, you can rest in the bedroom that has been carefully prepared to ensure that your rest is enveloped by the beauty of nature. In this alcove, a connection was opened to the last and smallest alcove, creating a suite between the two that is completed by the bathroom with shower. Although it can accommodate up to 4 people, with the sofa bed, this unit is located in the main Cardenha living room, with no internal connection to the suite bedroom of the property. In the small backyard that surrounds them, under the shade of the maple tree, you will find a stone table and benches for long al fresco meals, where the existing barbecue can be a great resource for enjoying the local flavors and cuisine! This little Portuguese house is a small, historic space, a unique example of what a “cardenha” is like, equipped with the utmost comfort so that you can make the most of your stay! But what are the Cardenhas anyway? Well, just so you know, “cardenha” is the name they gave to this type of dwelling, where the “brandeiro” (the person who lived in the Branda) slept on the upper floor and the animals slept on the ground floor or in the adjoining sheds. They also had a sheltered space for the dog and the chickens, as you can see at the bottom and top of the staircase of this Cardenha das Formiguinhas. They were mainly built of stone, including the roof with a false dome ceiling and the wooden floor, materials that could be found on the surrounding hill. There's a fireplace for cooking and making a fire to keep warm on cooler nights. The doors of the houses are low because of the harsh mountain conditions, as protection against the cold, and they say that people used to be shorter in the past. They all had their “quinteirinho,” a small space in front of the house with a maple, oak, or chestnut tree to provide shade on the hottest summer days. Studies indicate that they date back to at least the 12th century, and that they were also part of the route taken by monks on their way to the Monastery of Fiães in Melgaço, and that they used them as mountain shelters. Although they look like shelters, their architecture is more complex and worthy of study by engineers and architects. Learn a little about the history of this unique property, told by the person who prepared it for you and who is now its current owner! At an altitude of about 1,100 meters, in Val de Poldros, the story goes that, as far back as the time of King Afonso I, wild horses were raised in these landscapes, giving the place its name.' It's possible that at that time, this Branda already existed – yes, a Branda… because it was during the summer season that people from the lower parts of the mountains, known as “Brandeiros,” would come here. They came from Riba de Mouro, Tangil, and Santa Marinha. They would leave their winter homes, where they lived during the winter, after the corn planting, around the month of May. They would go up with the cattle and the ox carts, groaning under the weight they carried and equipped with the essentials to live here high up in the mountains, where pasture was abundant until the time of Saint Michael (September/October), the period of harvests and the return to the winter pastures. There were no roads, and the journey was made along difficult paths… imagine the pilgrimage uphill! From Santa Marinha, 'ti Bal' (Valdemar) would lead his cattle up towards this Cardenha, which he owned. It was on a walk in the '90s that I discovered this charming place. An exceptional place, unlike any other, right in front of the summit of Pedrinho, a mountain range that belongs to the parish of Sistelo. I was coming from Monção, heading towards Peneda, along the Chão do Rego path… Little did I know I was walking the path of the Brandeiros. You can't imagine my amazement when I arrived at the square by the cruise ship, where I stood admiring these little houses with stone roofs, and the courtyard of 'ti Bal' was, for me, the most beautiful in Branda! Little did I know that one day it would be mine… A few springs passed, and then a friend of mine, Luís, a baker from Riba de Mouro, showed up at my house. He already had a house here on the property, where we were sometimes invited to have some get-togethers. You dragged me into this adventure: “Come with me to see a business, buy a license!” My reaction was, “Are you crazy?” I am not planning anything like that!' He insists: “Come with me!” And that's it, I'm off to Santo António de Val de Poldros with Luís. When we got there, standing in front of the cruise ship, Luis said, “This is it!” You don't have another opportunity; it's the only one that can be negotiated; the others have many heirs.” This was the shepherd's axe of “Ti Bal,” the last cattle herder from S. António de Val de Poldros! We couldn't resist… me and Zaira, my wife. We restored it with the utmost care and delicacy, because we had a work of art in our hands! I had to preserve the original features—the moss, the stones, the vegetation—because I am aware that it is part of my region's cultural heritage. Deep down, it's my tribute to the many men and women who passed through here, who worked the land in this place that once had more Life, as you can see from the number of vineyards down the mountain to the Vez River and from the fields where hay, potatoes, and rye were grown, where the land was fertile. It was here in this square, at the foot of this cross, that moonlight soirées were held, where people sang, danced, and told stories… Here is part of my story, but there is certainly much more I could tell you! All that remains for me to do is to ask anyone who comes here to 'hang out' to respect this place and honor the heritage it conveys to us! Other things to note Due to its particular configuration, this accommodation allows 2 people to stay on the sofa bed in the living room and 2 people in the bedroom with a double bed. The connection between the living room and the bedroom is only through the outside.