Portuguese architect Siza Vieira was in charge of creating the Zebro viewing point, located on a rocky massif in the Serra do Moradal, next to the ER 238 in Oleiros, in the north-central part of Portugal. It is the second viewing point built by Siza after the construction of the watchtower in the nearby region of Proença-a-Nova.

Miradouro do Zebro is part of the International Trail of the Appalachians, which crosses a large part of Serra do Muradal along 37 kilometres of routes. Officially, it is known as the Grande Rota do Muradal-Pangeia, “the largest continuous trail of human climbs in the world”.

Álvaro Siza Vieira has designed an imposing circular platform of reinforced concrete, a circular structure 225 square meters and 15 meters in diameter, with two circular glass holes in the platform, which allow the visitor to see the landscape of the Naturtejo Geopark 200 meters above the ground.

The platform is accessed by a small ramp with a 110 cm high guardrail made of bars and a flexible stainless steel mesh. The opening took place on April 25th, on the occasion of the Carnation Revolution.

The name Zebro comes from a species of wild horse that inhabited the Iberian Peninsula until the 16th century, according to numerous medieval sources.

Renovation of the Zebro Viewpoint by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Photograph by Daniel Sousa. Renovación del mirador de Zebro por Álvaro Siza Vieira. Fotografía por Daniel Sousa.

Renovation of the Zebro Viewpoint by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Photograph by Daniel Sousa. 

Renovation of the Zebro Viewpoint by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Photograph by Daniel Sousa. Renovación del mirador de Zebro por Álvaro Siza Vieira. Fotografía por Daniel Sousa.

Renovation of the Zebro Viewpoint by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Photograph by Daniel Sousa. 

Project description by Álvaro Siza Vieira

Located on a rocky massif in the Serra do Moradal, by the side of ER 238, the Zebro Viewpoint is naturally accessible due to the area's topographical characteristics.

Overlooking the extensive valley traversed by the Zêzere River, it consists of a circular platform supported by a cantilever fixed to the rock. The construction will be entirely made of exposed reinforced concrete.

Access is via a ramp with a 110 cm high guardrail made of bars and a flexible stainless steel mesh. The guardrail of the platform is made of exposed concrete and has a height of 110 cm.

Renovation of the Zebro Viewpoint by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Photograph by Daniel Sousa. Renovación del mirador de Zebro por Álvaro Siza Vieira. Fotografía por Daniel Sousa.
Renovation of the Zebro Viewpoint by Álvaro Siza Vieira. Photograph by Daniel Sousa.

The circular structure appears suspended over the landscape and features two openings filled with walkable glass panels.

The viewpoint is integrated into the International Appalachian Trail, which traverses a large part of the mountain range, respecting the characteristics of the existing climbing routes in the area.

More information

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Architects
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Álvaro Siza Vieira. Coordinator.- Rita Frois do Amaral.

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Project team
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Paulo Silva.

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Collaborators
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Structural Consultants.- GOP, Gabinete de Organização e Projectos, Lda - Jorge Nunes da Silva, Ana Silva.

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Client
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Câmara Municipal de Oleiros.

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Builder
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Eliseu e Farinha – Sociedade de Construções, Lda - Pedro Baptista (Management works).

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Area / Dimensions
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225 square meters and 15 meters in diameter, it is built at a height of 300 meters.

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Dates
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Start works.- 2022.
Opening.- 25 April 2024.

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Location
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Vilar Barroco, Portugal.

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Budget
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€590,000.00

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Photography
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Daniel Sousa.

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Álvaro Joaquim Melo Siza Vieira was born in Matosinhos (near Porto), in 1933. From 1949-55 he studied at the School of Architecture, University of Porto. His first built project was finished in 1954. From 1955-58 he was collaborator of Arch. Fernando Távora. He taught at the School of Architecture (ESBAP) from 1966-69 and was appointed Professor of "Construction" in 1976. He was a Visiting Professor at the Ècole Polythéchnique of Lausanne, the University of Pennsylvania, Los Andes University of Bogotá and the Graduate School of Design of Harvard University; he taught at the School of Architecture of Porto (jubilate in 2003).

He is the author of many projects such as: the Boa Nova Tea House and Restaurant; 1200 dwellings built in Malagueira, Évora; the Superior School of Education in Setúbal, the new School of Architecture in Porto; the Library of Aveiro University; the Museum of Modern Art in Porto; the Church and Parochial Centre in Marco de Canavezes; the Pavilion of Portugal for EXPO '98 and the Pavilion of Portugal in Hannover 2000 (with Souto de Moura); the dwelling and offices complex of “Terraços de Bragança” in Lisbon; and he has rebuilt the burnt area of Chiado in Lisbon since 1988, including the projects for some buildings like Castro e Melo, Grandella, Chiado Stores, and others.

He has been coordinated the plan of Schilderswijk's recuperation in The Hague, Holland, since 1985, which finished in 89; in 1995 he finished the project for blocs 6-7-8 in Ceramique Terrein, Maastricht.

In Spain he has completed the projects for the Meteorological Centre of Villa Olimpica in Barcelona; the Museum of Contemporary Art of Galicia and the Faculty of Information Sciences in Santiago de Compostela; the Rectorate of the Alicante University; Zaida building – offices, commercial and dwelling complex in Granada; Sportive Complex Cornellà de L’lobregat in Barcelona.

Cultural Centre and auditorium for the Ibere Camargo Foundation in Brazil; Municipal Centre of Rosario in Argentina; lodging-house in the Plan of Recuperation and Transformation of Cidade Velha in Cap Vert; Serpentine Pavillion (2005) with Eduardo Souto Moura; Museum of Modern Art of Naples in Italy; Anyang Pavilion in South Korea (with Carlos Castanheira); Mimesis Museum in South Korea (with Carlos Castanheira); are to be mentioned.

He has participated in several lectures and conferences in Portugal, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Norway, Holland, Switzerland, Austria, England, Colombia, Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Canada, United States, Romania, Greece, South Korea and Sweden.

Having been invited to participate in international competitions, he won the first place in Schlesisches Tor, Kreuzberg, Berlin (now built), at the recuperation of Campo di Marte in Venice (1985) and at the renewal of Casino and Café Winkler, Salzburg (1986); Cultural Centre for the La Defensa, Madrid (with José Paulo Santos) (1988/89); J. Paul Getty Museum, Malibu, California (with Peter Testa) (1993); Pietà Rondanini Room, Sforzesco Castell, Milan (1999); Special Plan Recoletos-Prado, Madrid (with Juan Miguel Hernandez Leon e Carlos Riaño) (2002); Toledo Hospital (Sánchez-Horneros office) (2003); “Atrio de la Alhambra” in Spain (with Juan Domingo Santos)(2010); “Parco delle Cave”, Lecce in Italy (with Carlos Castanheira) (2010).

He has participated in the competitions for Expo 92 in Sevilla, Spain (with Eduardo Souto de Moura and Adalberto Dias) (1986); for "Un Progetto per Siena", Italy (with José Paulo Santos) (1988); the Cultural Centre La Defensa in Madrid, Spain (1988/89); the Bibliothèque of France in Paris (1989/90), the Helsinki Museum (with Souto de Moura) (1992-93); Flamenco City of Xerez de la Frontera, Spain (with Juan Miguel Hernandez Leon) (2003).

From 1982 to 2010 has won many different awards and have been assigned with Medals of Cultural Merit from many country around the world. Doctor "Honoris Causa" in various European and International universities.

He is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Science; "Honorary Fellow" of the Royal Institute of British Architects; AIA/American Institute of Architects; Académie d'Architecture de France and European Academy of Sciences and Arts; Royal Swedish Academy of Fine Arts; IAA/International Academy of Architecture; American Academy of Arts and Letters.

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