Contemporary landscapes: A case study of Rabaçal Castle – Penela – Portugal

Abstract

Landscape is a reflection of the mark left by Man on Earth over time. It is nature, as its materials are natural, and it is culture, because it reflects the will and plans of a people and its culture. So we can say that landscape identifies and is essential to Man. It has evolved and transformed to cater for different needs, different wills and different powers. First, for reasons of sustenance, then of pleasure, but always according to the underlying economy and power. Contemporary landscape continues to be the reflection of economic policies that often endanger ecological, cultural, artistic and poetic values that identify it. As we run the risk of losing it, we need to regain the principles and values that have made it ours. Our case study – The Promotion and Valuation of Rabaçal Castle – is an approach to act on and design the landscape in line with the idea of preserving the values of our landscape that we urgently need to assume again.