Some places don’t need to be recreated — they just need to be filmed. In the heart of inland Portugal, the Historical Villages of Portugal offer a unique network of twelve heritage sites that bring together memory, landscape, silence, and stone. Almeida, Belmonte, Castelo Mendo, Castelo Novo, Castelo Rodrigo, Idanha-a-Velha, Linhares da Beira, Marialva, Monsanto, Piódão, Sortelha and Trancoso are not just locations — they are stories carved into the territory.
Their participation as exhibitors at Shooting Locations Marketplace 2025, held on October 15 and 16 in Valladolid, marks a strategic move to consolidate the villages as a ready-to-shoot destination, recognised for their visual authenticity, sustainability and institutional support. This ambition is not theoretical: the villages have already hosted international productions, such as the Game of Thrones prequel filmed in Monsanto, and earned global attention with the promotional short film De Corpo e Alma, named World’s Best Tourism Film – People’s Choice at CIFFT.
A visual narrative across twelve villages
The true value of the Historical Villages of Portugal lies not only in their cinematographic appeal, but in their ability to shape narrative. The short film De Corpo e Alma, directed by Telmo Martins and produced by Lobby Films and Advertising, became an audiovisual tribute to the region. Voted by over 8,000 people from 30 countries, it gave visibility to the villages’ architectural and emotional richness, bringing to life historical figures such as King D. Dinis and navigator Pedro Álvares Cabral, born in Belmonte.
Monsanto, with just 200 residents, hosted for several weeks the filming of an episode of the Game of Thrones prequel. The successful coordination of production logistics in such a sensitive setting confirmed what local leaders already suspected: these villages are fully capable of supporting professional filming operations. As Dalila Dias, executive coordinator of the network, points out, «these villages are not just scenery — they’re living places where history breathes through every stone».
Sustainability, institutional support and long-term planning
Alongside their striking aesthetics, the Historical Villages of Portugal have developed a strategic framework to support the audiovisual industry with professionalism and foresight. They are part of the Collective Efficiency Strategy 2030, focused on intelligent, inclusive development in rural territories, and belong to the PROVERE programme for the economic enhancement of endogenous resources. In February 2025, the Portugal Film Commission officially joined the network’s working group for cultural and creative industries.
This partnership translates into real tools for production companies: support with permits, access to local services, transport and accommodation infrastructure, and institutional backing for both small and large-scale shoots. In addition, the villages have been certified as a Biosphere Destination, guaranteeing environmental and cultural sustainability.
Historical Villages of Portugal will be present at Shooting Locations Marketplace 2025, ready to showcase their mature, proven offer to location scouts, producers and service companies. They don’t offer promises — they offer twelve real film sets with soul, ready to roll.