In Manteigas, at the heart of Serra da Estrela, Burel Factory carries forward the textile expertise of Portuguese shepherds. This manufactory transforms burel—a fulled wool fabric traditionally used for shepherds' coats—into contemporary design objects. Visits to the show-rooms allow you to observe the production process and collections resulting from collaborations with Portuguese designers.

Why visit Burel Factory

• An encounter with a rare textile, long confined to Portugal's mountains and now reimagined in design pieces.
• An active industrial site in the municipality of Manteigas, where you can follow the production stages.
• A palette of over 60 color shades, available in rugs, cushions, bags, clothing and furniture.
• An entrepreneurial project that has helped revitalize the local economy of Penhas Douradas.

History and origins of the project

In 2006, Isabel Dias and João Tomás discover Penhas Douradas during a hike in Serra da Estrela. Captivated by the high-altitude plateau and the region's textile culture, they leave their careers in Lisbon to settle in this mid-mountain area. For four years, they study the region's craftsmanship and wool supply chains, before co-founding the company Saberes e Fazeres da Vila in 2010.

The first year is devoted to burel production. This typically Portuguese fabric originally served to make shepherds' coats, which they valued for its resistance to wind and rain. Its manufacture follows four steps: wool washing, weaving, flattening, and scalding. The activity quickly expands, and the Burel Penhas Douradas factory becomes a reference point in the sector within the municipality of Manteigas.

Subsequently, the company turns toward object design. It collaborates with several Portuguese designers—Gonçalo Campos, João Paulo Assunção, Rui Grazina, Rute Gomes, Sara Lamúrias, Sofia Machado and the Zero Kilocalorias studio—to develop a contemporary line. An in-house collection emerges in collaboration with Isabel Dias da Costa, available in rugs, cushions, quilts, benches and accessories. In 2012, the Loja do Burel opens in Lisbon, giving the project a showcase in the capital.

What you can see on site

The Penhas Douradas factory

The production site at Amieiros Verdes near Manteigas preserves the machines and traditional process. The visit shows the journey from raw wool to finished fabric, step by step.

The show-rooms

Two emblematic spaces display the collections in the mountains: Casa das Penhas Douradas and Casa de São Lourenço, a hotel-boutique entirely furnished in burel. The shops in Lisbon (Chiado and Rua do Ferragial) and Porto (Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira) complete the network and allow you to see pieces in an urban context.

The product range

Burel Factory works with over 60 color shades. The patterns draw inspiration from Portuguese textile traditions and are available in home objects, fashion accessories, clothing and hotel furniture.

Practical information

• Visit duration: allow 45 minutes to 1 hour for a show-room, more if you follow a guided factory tour.
• Opening hours: open Monday to Friday or Saturday depending on the location, during daytime hours. Hours vary regularly, check the official website before visiting.
• Admission: free entry to the shops. Guided factory tours may be paid and typically require advance reservation.
• Main addresses: Amieiros Verdes 6260-028 Manteigas; Rua do Ferragial 4, 1200-183 Lisbon; Rua Serpa Pinto 15B, 1200-443 Chiado, Lisbon; Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira 83, 4050-420 Porto.

Nearby

Burel Factory fits naturally into a mountain itinerary centered on Serra da Estrela. From Manteigas, you can easily reach the Zêzere glacial valley, Caldas de Manteigas thermal springs and park trails. To extend the cultural and craft theme, several sites are worth exploring in the northern half of the country:

• The Museu do Caramulo, which combines art collection and vintage automobiles.
• The Alvão natural park, for its mid-mountain landscapes.
• The bread and wine museum in Favaios, in the Douro region.

Getting there

The factory and Casa das Penhas Douradas are located on the Penhas Douradas plateau, about ten kilometers from Manteigas via a mountain road. A car is the most practical way to reach this site, which is not served by regular public transport. From Lisbon or Porto, allow approximately 3 to 4 hours of driving.

The urban shops are easily accessible. In Lisbon, the Chiado location is reachable on foot or by metro from the center. In Porto, the Mouzinho da Silveira address is just steps away from São Bento station.

Extend your visit

Burel Factory fits naturally into a circuit in Serra da Estrela or a cultural loop between Lisbon, Coimbra and Porto. To build a custom itinerary, check out our suggestions for trips to Portugal.