Land in Proença-a-Nova with 5 205 m²

Property with Riverside Beach on the Pracana Stream

Land located in an area of great natural beauty, composed of pine forest, olive grove and agricultural fields, also featuring a spacious 150 m² support house in full working condition.

The property includes a barbecue area, stone-grindstone tables with shaded seating, and a 7,500-liter water tank with direct piping to the house.

Land Composition

• Parcel 1: Pine Forest — 2,856 m² (20%)
• Parcel 2: Olive Grove and Fruit Trees — 3,236 m² (20%)
• Parcel 3: Permanent Artificial Pasture and Corn — (39%)
• Parcel 4: Watercourse Bed — 2,468 m² (18%)

Historical and Cultural Background of the Pracana Stream

Human occupation of this region dates back to prehistoric times, as demonstrated by archaeological findings—some originating from the rock-art period. During the Lusitanian presence, several fortified settlements (castros) stood out, such as Vilar da Lapa, Zimbreira, and Vale de Grou, serving as defensive structures for local populations.

The Pracana Stream and the Ocreza River, both rich in gold, attracted Carthaginians and Romans. Mining activity left its mark on local place names: gold blocks extracted from the shafts were called palacres or palacranas, which likely gave rise to the name Pracana—evolving from palacrana > paracana > peracana > pracana. Other names such as ferrenhas and algarves, near São José das Matas, also refer to this ancient gold-mining activity.

Origin of the Name “Pracana”

There are two main theories:

1. “Petra Cana” — from Latin, meaning white stone.
   
   Supported by Father Henrique da Silva Louro and Canon Arlindo Ribeiro da Cunha.
2. “Pallacrana” — meaning gold blocks.
   
   Supported by Maria Amélia Horta Pereira.

The name appears for the first time as “Ribeira da Paracana” on August 5th, 1199, in the donation document of Açafa by King Sancho I to the Templars.

Geography and Points of Interest

The Pracana Stream rises near Amêndoa and flows for about 30 km before joining the Ocreza River, giving its name to the Pracana Dam. Along its course, it gave rise to several villages, such as Pracana da Ribeira (Cardigos), Pracana Cimeira, and Pracana Fundeira (Carvoeiro).

Its main tributaries are:

• Freixo Stream
• Mesão Frio Stream
• Freixeda Stream

Other smaller streams in the Arganil area include:

• Cascalhal Stream
• Vale das Aveias Stream
• Vale da Estrada / Aldravão Stream
• Vale Formoso / Freixoeirinho Stream

In the village of Arganil, there is a three-arch stone bridge built in the 19th century. Near Sarnadas there once existed an older bridge, believed to have been built by the Order of Malta. In 2000, the Municipal Council of Mação built a small dam at a site known as Poço do Alfaiate.

The Ocreza River

The Ocreza River rises in the Gardunha Mountain Range, at an altitude of 1,160 meters, west of Castelo Novo, and flows into the Tagus River downstream of the Fratel Dam.