Azambuja, Sónia TalhéCardoso, Ana Rute Pires2012-03-152012-03-152011Cardoso, Ana Rute Pires - As Quintas torrejanas. Análise, interpretação e proposta de uma rota cultural e ambiental em torno do Rio Almonda. Lisboa: ISA, 2011http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/4074Mestrado em Arquitectura Paisagista - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaThe Torres Novas municipality occupies a central position in the Portuguese territory, covering an area marked by transitory characteristics, with particular environmental and historic wealth. The old quintas (farms), which once abounded in the municipality, are part of that wealth, and examples of a very interesting marriage of human ingenuity and natural beauty. In this work, we wish to contribute to a better understanding of the characteristics and potential of Torres Novas’ farms, the importance of their preservation and restoration, and the role they may play in regions future touristic development. We start by surveying the existing farms, through literary review and cartographic analysis, and follow up with a number of representative case studies. Based on the collected data, we prepare a general proposal intended on farm protection and enhancement, rooted in the cooperation between land owners and public entities, aiming for economic viability. In order to showcase the ideas from the general proposal in a more down-to-earth setting, we develop a cultural and environmental itinerary and scenic trail that is centred on the Almonda River and integrates other elements of the region’s landscape, allowing for a better understanding of its culture and its farms.porTorres Novasfarmhistorical gardensheritagetourismcultural and ecological itinerarymaster thesis