The Domingos de Pinho Brandão Library hosted the presentation of the Iter Hominis project “On the Route of Man in the Arouca Geopark” on November 2nd.

In front of a curious and interested audience, Margarida Belém, president of the Board of AGA – Arouca Geopark Association, Daniela Rocha, executive coordinator of AGA, Sobrinho Simões, professor of pathological anatomy and André Vilar, AGA’s heritage manager, presented Iter Hominis and highlighted its importance for the preservation and enhancement of cultural heritage and the history of human occupation in the territory. At the end of the presentations, Afonso Veiga led a tour of the Arouca Monastery and the Misericórdia Chapel, both classified as Iter Hominissites .

“On the Route of Man in the Arouca Geopark” is a project that offers a comprehensive approach to the history of mankind, from prehistory to the present day, in our territory, and is aimed at different audiences. Consisting of various tools, the project includes two documentaries – one available at the Monastery of Arouca, which presents a comprehensive view of the various phases of human occupation over the centuries, and the other at the Casa das Pedras Parideiras, dedicated to children, with accessible language to awaken the interest of younger generations in local history and culture. The project also includes a tourist-cultural guide, which allows visitors to freely explore the Arouca Geopark and learn the essentials about 32 cultural heritage sites, and information panels are being installed at the Iter Hominis sites.

Daniela Rocha said that “through this project, Arouca Geopark is preserving its historical legacy, raising awareness among future generations to value and protect the region’s cultural wealth and enriching the experience of visiting the territory.”

Iter Hominis is the responsibility of AGA and is co-financed by Turismo de Portugal and the Municipality of Arouca, as part of the “Arouca Geopark 4.0 – Smart Geotourism Destination” application to the Valorizar Program – a line of support for tourism in the interior.