The parish council of Fajão-Vidual's press release reads "The Geoscope - Fajão Astronomical Observatory in Pampilhosa da Serra inaugurated on 27 June will open to the public on 3 July, affirmed by Aldeias do Xisto as a rare destination in the world to observe the dark sky. The project, consisting of an observation point and an educational kiosk, will also have an associated entertainment calendar with observation sessions “Journey to the Light of the Stars”, astrophotography, and guided tours. The observation point, located at the top of the village, is a semi-spherical steel “dome”, 7.5 meters high and 15 meters in diameter."

The project led by Adxtur – Agency for the Tourist Development of Aldeias do Xisto, in co-promotion with that municipality in the interior of the district of Coimbra, constitutes the anchor of the Aldeias do Xisto – Starlight Tourist Destination strategy.

Since 2019, the mountainous territory of Pampilhosa da Serra has become the destination of choice for anyone interested in observing the cosmos and the relationship between the earth and the sky, thanks to its location and excellent visibility, transparency, darkness and the number of nights with clear skies.

The mayor, Jorge Custódio, has high hopes for Geoscope, which he considers to be a highly distinctive and innovative project in a low-density area, which attempts to combine these nature and 'dark sky' destinations, where visitors have very close contact with nature and local communities.

“What is a difficulty in these territories – the poor mobile network coverage and the reduced public lighting for observing the sky – is an extraordinary potential”, the mayor told Lusa, highlighting that the municipality believes strongly in the project, which is unique in the region.

According to Jorge Custódio, in 2023 a tour operator in the municipality sold more than 2,000 individual packages for observing the sky and stars, a number that is expected to rise exponentially after the opening of the Geoscope on Thursday night, although it was not possible to observe due to rain and thunderstorms.

The Fajão Astronomical Observatory, scientifically supervised by astronomer José de Matos, consists of an observation point and an educational kiosk and has an associated entertainment calendar with observation sessions “Journey to the Light of the Stars”, astrophotography, and guided tours.

The observation point, located at the top of the village of Fajão, in an area integrated into the Natura 2000 Network and the Protected Landscape of Serra do Açor, is a semi-spherical steel “dome”, 7.5 meters high and 15 meters in diameter, with free access.

The support kiosk, which is open in the summer from Wednesday to Sunday, with closing time at 00:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, is equipped with equipment - telescopes, binoculars, chairs, and blankets - to lend to interested parties who They want to spend a night watching the sky.

There are also books, educational games, and access to virtual reality in that location.

The dark sky “is a resource that has always existed and is now seen as a product”, Paulo Fernandes, president of Adxtur, highlighted to the Lusa agency, stressing that the project strengthens strategic connections and generates economic and social opportunities, with the development of products exclusive tourist attractions.

“The fact that we are in an area with very low population density has become an asset for selling this geotourism, associated with the astronomical observation component, which is a line that is growing throughout the world and that now, in Portugal, in Pampilhosa da Serra, in the heart of the Schist Villages, we will have this offer”, he stressed.

The director, who also presides over the Fundão Council (Castelo Branco), stressed that this is not just a tourist offer for all ages, but also “a very important offer in terms of education, the promotion and democratization of science and the diversification of the offer in the Schist Villages”.

“We used to sell the days very well, with active tourism, river beaches, the network of walking trails, and the cultural traditions of the region, but now we will also be able to sell the nights much better with nightlife, looking up at the sky”, he emphasised.

For designer João Nunes, author of the original idea for Geoscope, the project takes on a pedagogical character through a space for astronomical observation: “It is a place to observe ourselves and feel and understand the cosmos”.

“Astronomy can also be the cell for the regeneration of this village [Fajão], based on this project that regenerates planetary consciousness and ecology”, he highlighted to Lusa.

Scientific coordination is in charge of astronomer José de Matos, from the University of Aveiro, who monitors the project at a scientific level and in the promotion of specific activities.

“My role was to provide scientific advice and will continue to do so in the future because monitoring is necessary,” he told Lusa.

The new equipment dedicated to astrotourism represents an investment of 179,280 euros, subsidized by the Sustainability Support Line of the Valorizar Program, from Turismo de Portugal and by the Interreg Program: Projeto Globaltur – Euroace, from the European Union.