Miradouro do Zebro, magnificent architecture!

The Miradouro do Zebro (viewpoint) in Oleiros opened to the public on April 25th. In Portugal, this is a symbolic date, synonymous with freedom, democracy, the possibility of seeing further and reaching higher. All these concepts apply to this magnificent piece of architecture.

Miradouro do Zebro, Oleiros

The viewpoint is now part of the Naturtejo Geopark. It is there to invite you to look at this imposing landscape and to be admired.

This is an architectural masterpiece: a geometric structure joining an organic landscape, and merging with it. If it were no longer there, it would be missed...

It's an unexpected and surprising structure. Concrete on stone, inert, but moulding itself to the surrounding mountain ridge and following it through a circular gesture with a slight curve. There are no fittings, ‘less is more’, the building is a single piece.

Access to the viewpoint is tortuous, just like the rocky cliff on which it rests. It stands like a suspended platform, with a single foundation set into the rock. This is visible through two round glass floors in the platform.

It's worth every effort to visit the Zebro Viewpoint. In spring, summer, autumn and the snowy winter.

The viewpoint is inert but the surrounding landscape will always change. A special place, almost unknown until now which architecture has put on the world map.

Thank you Siza!

Architect: Álvaro Siza Vieira