The Vision

The vision we have created for this project is of a sanctuary, a regenerative oasis in the midst of the turmoil of our modern world. A safe haven where receptivity unites with shelter, and dreaming about the future of our planet becomes more natural.

This land, this Quinta, is imagined as a transformative womb, a quiet environment away from the often frenetic pace of modern life, where individuals can engage in serious inquiry into the nature of themselves and their relationship to society.

In today's landscape, there's no shortage of spaces promoting sustainable living, alternative lifestyles, ecological practices, organic farming, and progressive education. However, we've come to recognize that these approaches, while valuable, are still external.

Quinta de Sandelhas is a place where we embrace inner learning as the key to creating a new world.

Our society has undergone a subtle yet significant transformation. We've shifted from an era characterised by overt repression and aggression to one where a veneer of positivity often masks deeper issues. In this new paradigm, there's a tendency to promote superficial acceptance and a facade of happiness, rather than addressing root causes of discontent.

We intend to move beyond these societal masks, encouraging honest self-reflection and true inner work.

True happiness isn't about achieving perfection in our external circumstances, but rather about developing the inner capacity to embrace life as it unfolds. It's the art of finding peace and contentment amidst the ever-changing tides of our experiences, challenges, and growth.

We believe that the true revolution we all hope to see in society begins within each of us. With this understanding, we're cultivating Quinta de Sandelhas as a unique place that goes beyond surface-level changes. Here, we create an environment that nurtures deep reflection on our lives, fosters self-knowledge, and encourages contemplation.

Our project involves the development of the land using permaculture principles, which align with our interest in sustainable living and our relationship with the natural world. We are creating natural spaces, paths, gardens, and areas for agriculture and food forests. These serve not as methods for transformation, but as practical expressions of living in harmony with our environment.

The accommodation will be simple yet elegant, embodying the essence of the land itself - classy, without excessive luxury, welcoming and warm, inviting contemplation and connection. Visitors can immerse themselves in a calm flow of movement that creates space for gazing at the trees, the sky, finding solace on a bench and then engaging in nurturing dialogues in the warm Café space built with natural and welcoming materials.

The medium-term vision includes the construction of four main buildings/areas: a learning centre for children and young people in the ruin to be rebuilt, a main building with reception, a lounge, a dining area/café, with accommodation (single or double rooms), an accommodation area for staff and an accommodation area for groups (we are considering small wooden bungalows or glamping tents).

For now, we are working to obtain the necessary resources to finance the permaculture project, led by a project manager who will prepare all the areas of the land, fences, gardens, water management and basic infrastructure, as well as leading the team and installing a large tent for events.

The land itself is already a paradise, an oasis that makes it possible to welcome visitors in a simpler way, such as camping or in caravans, requiring the construction of basic infrastructures such as sanitary facilities with ecological dry toilets, showers and an outdoor kitchen. So visitors can already experience the transformative energy of the space through retreats, training programmes, workshops, artistic residencies, exhibitions, concerts, etc.

We anticipate that people may choose to live in the surrounding village, forming a loose association of individuals interested in exploring the art of living. This is not a closed community or tribe, but rather a gathering of independent individuals who share a common interest in self-understanding and inquiry.

At Quinta de Sandelhas, we don't offer methods, practices, or promise any particular outcomes. Instead, we provide a space where people can come together to engage in dialogue, self-observation, and to question deeply. We invite those who are interested in exploring fundamental questions about life, consciousness, and society.

Explore Options to Join Us

We appreciate your interest in supporting our project. At this time, your support will directly fund Phase 1 of our project, which focuses on establishing essential infrastructure at Quinta de Sandelhas. This includes implementing permaculture design, setting up basic accommodations, creating an outdoor kitchen, and initiating our ecological agriculture initiatives.

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