Refugios de Pedra Association
The owners of almost all houses of Casal de S. Simão formed “Refúgios de Pedra” Association. It has the purpose of preserve the village, the rich environment and also to share all this environmental richness and tradition with everyone who loves nature, preparing the houses and spaces to receive guests who share their love for nature.
Today, Casal de S. Simão is part of “Aldeias do Xisto” (Schist Villages) Program. In the case of Casal de S. Simão, the Municipal intervention which permitted the village to enter the network of “Aldeias do Xisto” was only at the infrastructures level and in the project of the restaurant, store and a multifunctional space, once the houses were already rebuilt. During 2006 the Electricity, telephones and TV cable pre installation was put underground and the Municipality will mount a Hot spot during this year to serve the village with wireless Internet access.
The public light was changed and new antique lamps were mounted.The construction of the restaurant was already approved and will be finished in the first half of 2008. It will have, at the ground Floor a multifunctional space (auditorium), a store for the sale of local products and the Reception of Casal de S. Simão Village. At the first floor there will be the restaurant with panoramic view to the village and surrounding mountains, a bar and an open air café. All this was possible not only due to the passion, work and dedication of all owners and inhabitants but also to the commitment of the Municipality of Figueiró dos Vinhos, to the Região de Turismo do Centro, to the CCDRC (without its help nothing of this would be possible) and, specially, to the help of Eng Armando Carvalho, responsible by the “Aldeias do Xisto” project who had faith on us since the first minute and without his help Casal de S. Simão wouldn’t be on the network today. 
Actually, Casal de S. Simão have 5 full time residents: an old couple owner of a flock of goats that still produces home made cheese and work on their vegetable plot for daily consumption; an 94 years old lady – "aunt Lucilia", who also still works on his own plot of vegetables; and a young couple of ambient engineers who had choose to live here for pure passion. At the weekends and holidays the village becomes a place full of life, with children's laugh echoing on the streets again and a fistful of friends cherishing the ancient tradition of sharing the work that allowed to revive this village once more.
Actually, Casal de S. Simão have 5 full time residents: an old couple owner of a flock of goats that still produces home made cheese and work on their vegetable plot for daily consumption; an 94 years old lady – "aunt Lucilia", who also still works on his own plot of vegetables; and a young couple of ambient engineers who had choose to live here for pure passion. At the weekends and holidays the village becomes a place full of life, with children's laugh echoing on the streets again and a fistful of friends cherishing the ancient tradition of sharing the work that allowed to revive this village once more.
