The São Brás chapel, in Portel, Alentejo, is part of the Rota do Fresco (Fresco Route), which incorporates the 14 other Alentejo municipalities and over 50 monuments with murals. It is a notable example of these mural painting techniques. The chapel's frescoes were discovered in 2003 under the limewash that covered its walls. Some of it has been removed, but much of it still covers the murals. Accompanied by specialists in the field, volunteers will be invited to help restore the chapel's frescoes.

The workcamp will be organized over 10 days of 7-hour work, i.e. 80% of the time. You will also have a full educational program (20%):

- Theoretical sessions, visits to local heritage sites (6 sessions of 2 hours)

- Participant presentations (2 sessions of 2 hours)

- Excursion - Route des fresques (1 day of 7 hours)

Working hours will be Monday to Friday, 7 hours. Changes may occur depending on the weather. You will be accompanied and supervised by 2 external professionals, specialized in frescoes, and 1 daily life organizer familiar with the Alentejo region.

Please note that this workcamp requires a number of specific qualifications: art history, heritage, conservation and restoration, arts and techniques, architecture, etc. It is suitable for young graduates in the above fields, with or without professional experience.

You'll be staying at the Nature and Montado Interpretation Center in S. Pedro, 4 km from Portel. This place is designed to accommodate guests in dormitory-style rooms (non-mixed) with shared bathrooms and hot water. Located at the highest point of the Serra de Portel, with incredible views over the surrounding landscape, the Nature and Montado Interpretation Center has a shared kitchen, dining room and indoor and outdoor work and leisure areas. There is access to a washing machine, but no WiFI.

All meals are provided by Spira. Breakfast and weekend lunch/dinner will be available at the accommodation site, where meals will be prepared by participants. Lunch on working days will take place at the municipal canteen, a 10-minute walk from the work site. All food prepared in the accommodation can be adapted to specific dietary requirements. Lunches at the municipal canteen can be adapted to vegetarian diets only.

Days off on arrival, departure and Sunday.

No specific skills are required to take part.

In the days following your pre-registration, the International Relations Department will contact you by e-mail to arrange a telephone conversation.

This will enable us to get to know you better and give you more details about the workcamp (organization, arrival arrangements, etc.).

You can ask us any questions you may have, and let us know what you need to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

You will then receive a roadmap summarizing all useful information about the site.

• Access

Meet us on September 21 at Vila Nova da Baronia station before 6.30pm. The association will be there to welcome you and take you to your accommodation.