ALMINHAS DAS MOURAS
‘Alminhas das Mouras’ is a wayside shrine composed of a granite doorway, a standing stone aligned to the equinox, and an altar with ceramic pots. In Portuguese folklore, it is said that the souls of the dead inhabit stones alongside the Mouras - enchanted female spirits who are believed to be the builders of megaliths and dolmens.
Visitors are encouraged to approach with intention - first pausing to ask permission to enter, then washing their hands at the altar and stepping through the threshold. Whilst passing through, one might offer gratitude or dedicate a thought to the souls of the dead or the spirits of the land.
The altar includes a ceramic bowl for washing, a pot for wishes and some charcoal which represents the fire element.
YEAR
2025
COLLABORATORS
Wakinglife
Maria Machado @maryax
BUILD TEAM
Felix Sagar, Maria Machado, Millicent Green
,
PHOTOGRAPHY
@niccola.be
A single, 14 tonne granite rock was cut into 4 pieces, moved to site and then reassembled with the central piece missing to create a doorway. This central piece is rotated to align with the equinox, and has a moon-shaped sundial carved into both the southern and northern faces.
