The newly set up Interpretative Centre hosts and promotes a whole range of different activities, including a cave bat monitoring centre, where video monitoring facilitates ongoing scientific research and allows the visitors to witness the reclusive lives of these mammals (the natural parks cave systems harbour all 24 different species of bats found in Portugal, nine of which are considered endangered species), and a geodrome (capacity 15 visitors), which is a simulator that gives a unique insight into the geological evolution of the area.

The centre also contains:

The Ecotourism project activities included the construction of an Interpretative Centre in an area close to the Alviela river springs, and also close to a river beach, a camping area, and to the Serra de Aire Natural Park, a NATURA 2000 protected site.

The area surrounding the Centre, and the rest of the park, is an area outstanding natural beauty and is also of great interest from a geological, hydrological and ecological perspective. Therefore, outdoor infrastructure and pathways were developed in order to facilitate the observation of the riverside ecosystem and nearby geological and morphological features.

Other elements of the project included the construction of a small dam to increase the size of the existing bathing area, and the development of tourism facilities, including a leisure area and a caravan and camping site.

Parque Natural da Serra de Aire e Candeeiros
Phone: +351 243999480
pnsac@icn.pt

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case

Urban Policy > Urban environment > Urban renewal

Waterside development