Castro Laboreiro, Fixed places, Brandas, Inverneiras

Culture, Heritage and Tradition

The history of the occupation of the territory has always been marked by the adaptation of Man to the surrounding geographical conditions. In this context, Castro Laboreiro is undoubtedly a peculiar territory. Here, the demands of adapting to the environment take on exceptional contours, fundamentally marked by a harsh climate and mountainous relief.

The inhabitants of this territory, when they dedicated themselves to the agro-pastoral activity, created ingenious solutions, thus emerging an original settlement model. Scattered across the rugged territory, taking advantage of the different altitudes, numerous clusters were born, fixed and mobile places (Brandas and Inverneiras).

In addition to the fixed places located at intermediate levels, where the edaphoclimatic conditions made it possible to survive all year round, in Brandas, the name given to the fortified places located on the fringes of the plateau, between 1050 and 1150 meters of altitude, they remained for most of the year, between March and December, to carry out the sowing of potatoes and rye and where they took advantage of the greenest and most abundant pastures for the animals.

When the severity of winter, in mid-December, began to intensify, the castrejos descended into the valley, located at a lower altitude and where the places called Inverneiras were sheltered. Here they remained until mid-March, better protected from the cold and snow. When the temperature increased and the availability of pastures for animals, the narrow valley was scarce, with the help of ox carts, equipped with all belongings and all domestic animals, it was time to head to the higher lands of the plateau, so the cycle started all over again.

It was in this daily struggle that, since ancient times, the community developed an intrinsic and very strong relationship with its surroundings, harmonious and very wise, marked by the “shuttle” between Brandas and Inverneiras.