Casa Do Penedo

Sick and tired of tours where modern architecture is symbolized by shiny buildings ''battling'' for the title of being the highest? If the sight of the sleek new does not wow you in any way, maybe a sight of peculiar will. Commonly associated to the house of the cartoon family the Flintstones, Portugal's Casa do Penedo brings back the prehistoric times, where nature gave architects more than the perfect setting.

Besides the somewhat natural association to the residence of the most famous family in Bedrock, the house of stone was also classified as a great camouflage home, a strange place where people live, inspiring enough to function as a set for a movie.

Wind Turbines replacing Dinosaurs

Casa do Penedo translates literally as the ''house of stone'' because of the four large boulders which have been used as foundation walls. Situated about 1,3 kilometers South of the village Pereira, 10 kilometers North East of the Fafe municipality, the spectacular looking ''casa'' offers a great view over the Fafe mountain region and the country's remote hillside covered in mighty wind turbines. On the North side of the country, more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) away from the vivid capital Lisbon, the Casa do Penedo was built as a rural retreat.

A 1970s Primeval Home

Even though it looks like a residence where Fred and Wilma would come greet you, the Portuguese rock house was built during the 1970s. It was a nature inspired project mainly because its four massive boulders provided by the landscape made the perfect raw material. With the ancient example in mind, the metamorphosis into a cozy, rustic home may not have been easy but it sure proved breathtaking. Of course, not everyone would love to be accommodated by a stone-cold building but the present owner, Victor Rodrigues doesn't mind the retreat into nature neither the comparison to the famous cartoon. He believes that the unusual home represents the common ground between people and nature.

A tour inside is not possible. Still, a significant number of tourists from all over the world come to immortalize the two-story ''modern prehistoric'' from the outside. It is true that the ''modern age'' home blends perfectly into nature even if it possesses a swimming pool carved into stone.

Yes, the House is Real!

With more than 40 years in existence, some people still wonder whether the Casa do Penedo is real or fake, after seeing the most spectacular pictures online. If you don't rely on your internet sources and you have some ''photoshop concerns'', then you should find information in other types of media. The eco friendly ''real life Flintstone house'' was featured on national television as well as in the British Daily Mail Newspaper aside from the countless architecture websites admiring its unusual design. Maintaining the house's mystery and intimacy, the Portuguese media presented the attractive destination offering even a peek on its interior.

The Warmth of Stone-Cold Walls

The incredible exterior of the Casa do Penedo has become an internet sensation. What's hiding on the inside has always been a subject of curiosity and assumptions have been made based on its facade, on imagination or the cartoon prototype. A short film made by one of the Portuguese channels has revealed that the interior is in fact larger than most people would expect. The rural home may not be luxurious, it does not have electricity but the warmth of the fireplace, its classic wood furniture and solid railings made of logs increase the idea of original. The two story house is connected by a wood ladder functioning as a staircase. The  table has the appearance of a wooden bench and everything shines in the flickering candle light. Even if you agree that electricity is a must have in modern times, the lack of this facility increases the prehistoric feel. Even if it is an architectural ''showstopper'', the house of stone is no museum underlining through this short description its need for privacy.

Prying into Someone Else's Business

With its ''fresh'' appearance, the prestigious Casa do Penedo has drawn a significant amount of curious travelers and architecture enthusiasts. Unfortunately, not all who visited have been respectful while taking photos and admiring the site of unique. Some forget the meaning of privacy, others get too nosy when they find out that there is no inner tour. The isolated rock home was subject of malicious deeds like robbery or vandalism. The owner has increased the protection by replacing the door with a steel one and adding bullet-proof windows. The truth is: you can never have as much safety as when your house is guarded by a purple, barking dinosaur.

Tranquil, Relaxing Surroundings

Traveling to Casa do Penedo, you will discover the Portuguese countryside of peace and quiet. This is definitely not a destination for the ones searching for thrill or loud entertainment but for the ones who can appreciate nature as an ''architect''. Not only that the house of stone lies isolated giving the feel of ''middle of nowhere''; in its close proximity, the village Pereira as well as the Fafe municipality maintain the tranquil, traditional atmosphere. One of the celebrations to cheer up travelers as well as the sleepy surroundings of Fafe takes place on the 16^th of May, on the so called municipal holiday.

Located in the Braga district, Fafe has a population of little over 14000 people in its 36 parishes. When you are traveling to Casa do Penedo, this is the city where you are most likely to find accommodation, whether you are deciding for a hotel or a bed & breakfast. The small city was once served by a narrow gauge line connecting it to the second largest city in Portugal, Oporto.

How to Reach Stone Age

Even if it's just a reminder of the ancient times, the one of a kind Casa do Penedo can be reached easy if traveling to Fafe. The nearest airport serving the city is at Braga, 17 miles away (27 kilometers). The approximate distance between Fafe and Pereira (the nearest village to the prehistoric looking home) is of 32 kilometers (20 miles). By car, the journey takes about 40 minutes. Once you reach Pereira, you can hike or bike the extra 1,3 kilometers and be amazed with the site of the unusual.

Remember the times when you were watching the Flintstones cartoons, admire the scenery where nature has helped build a house of unique! Visit Portugal's Casa do Penedo for a great architectural accomplishment, a Stone Age look alike.