Mission and Vision
Fundação O Cerro exists to contribute to the promotion of education, culture and social support for the people of São Luís, in the Municipality of Odemira. As stated in its founding charter, Culture and Identity are considered the greatest assets of our territory.
Culture & Identity
Fundação O Cerro holds Culture and Identity as concepts to value, develop and embed in a vision that underpins its entire course of action. We believe culture is not a museum piece, but something structural to human life.
Rural Development
It is essential to value the potential of rural life and invest in innovative solutions that counter the vulnerability and ageing of rural communities, keeping local tradition and knowledge alive.
The History of the Cerro Family
For centuries, the Herdade do Cerro was the property of the Costa e Raposo family, known as the Lavradores do Cerro — a family of good economic standing who ran the estate as the centre of their farming and livestock activity.
The Founders
From the marriage of António Rosa da Costa Raposo and Maria Emília da Costa Raposo, five children were born: Alexandre Rosa da Costa Raposo, Maria Rosa da Costa Raposo, José Rosa da Costa Raposo (1925-2011), Francisco Rosa da Costa Raposo (1932-2005), a Doctor of Law and former Judge, and Maria Emília da Costa Raposo Franco Pagarete (1934-). Among the siblings, only one went to study elsewhere, in Coimbra, becoming a man of law.
On the family's land, ploughing was done with the help of animals — pairs of draft animals sowing wheat and maize. There was a historic vineyard where wine was produced in an adjoining winery, and multiple workers were dedicated to caring for the property. This old vineyard was uprooted about 40 years ago, leaving as testimony the winery, large wooden wine casks and stone walls that still surround the land where the vines once stretched.
With the passing of the last Lavradores do Cerro, José Rosa da Costa Raposo became the main driving force behind all activities on the estate for decades. Thanks to his work, we can see today a grand cork oak grove preserved as living testimony to the family's dedication to rural development.
The Foundation Today
After the passing of the last family member to actively manage the estate, Fundação O Cerro was born — allowing the activity to continue and the unique heritage to be preserved. Today, the property maintains a large cork oak grove, an orchard predominantly of orange trees, a flock of sheep, and offers incredible views thanks to its considerable elevation. From its viewpoints, one can see the valleys of the Mira River, the sea, and the splendid Atlantic sunset.
Areas of Action
Fundação O Cerro works across four strategic pillars to serve the community of São Luís:
Culture
Reading club, poetry and literature gathering, exhibitions such as "50 Rostos de Abril" and "Descortiçar – A Arte do Saber", the Feira da Primavera e do Folar, a community theatre group, keeping local traditions alive and creating spaces for artistic expression.
Education & Teaching
Public pre-school education, after-school activities for children aged 3 to 12, educational workshops, fighting vulnerability and investing in the future of São Luís' younger generations.
Rural Development
Management of livestock farming with flocks of sheep, agricultural activity, maintenance of the historic cork oak grove, the Pomar PARAÍSO orchard, valuing rural life and creating innovative solutions for local economies.
Cooperation
Partnerships with the Parish Council, Odemira Municipal Council, Casa do Povo, the Instituto Politécnico de Beja, Ateneu do Catorze, Sociedade Recreativa e Musical Sanluizense, and local associations, weaving networks of community collaboration.
Cultural Initiatives
Fundação O Cerro runs a vibrant calendar of events and projects that enliven São Luís' cultural life and consolidate the identity of the area:
Clube de Leitura Conselheiro Costa Raposo
Regular gatherings dedicated to reading, discussion and literary depth, creating a space for intellectual reflection in the village.
Encontro de Poesia e Literatura
An annual event now in its 3rd edition, bringing together poets, writers and an interested audience. It celebrates the word as an expression of cultural identity.
Travelling Exhibitions
"50 Rostos de Abril" — a visual portrait of the 25 April Revolution through the community's stories and faces. "Descortiçar – A Arte do Saber" — an exploration of local art, tradition and knowledge with a digital catalogue.
Community Theatre Group
A theatre-making project involving local residents, developing dramatic expression and social cohesion through art.
Feira da Primavera e do Folar
A community celebration with local crafts, traditional cuisine and get-togethers, marking São Luís' festive calendar.
Rural Development
The Herdade do Cerro is a living laboratory of sustainable rural practices, where the family's agrarian history continues to be written through modern activities anchored in tradition.
Main Activities
🐑 Livestock Farming
A well-established flock of sheep, keeping alive the grazing and rural production traditions that have defined the local economy for centuries.
🌾 Agricultural Activity
Farming and support for local families in agrarian activity, preserving ancestral knowledge and cultivation practices.
🌳 Cork Oak Grove
Preservation and expansion of the iconic cork oak grove, a unique Alentejo ecosystem of high ecological and economic value.
🍊 Pomar PARAÍSO
An orchard of orange and other fruit trees, demonstrating modern practices of sustainable Alentejo fruit-growing.
Why It Matters
Rural development is an essential pillar of the Foundation because the estate's history was written in rural space, in balance with nature. We believe it is essential to value the potential of rural life.
Investing in innovative solutions to counter the vulnerability and ageing of rural economies is not just about preserving tradition — it is about building a future for Alentejo communities.
Cooperation Networks
Fundação O Cerro does not work in isolation. It operates in close coordination with local institutions and associations, amplifying its impact through cooperation:
Parish Council
Collaboration in managing resources and community events that serve the whole population of São Luís.
Municipal Council
Structural partnerships with the Municipality of Odemira to align goals and maximise resources.
Casa do Povo
Joint action on social support and community wellbeing in São Luís.
Instituto Politécnico de Beja
Educational partnerships to develop teaching and research programmes.
Ateneu do Catorze
Collaboration promoting artistic and cultural activities.
SRMS
Partnerships with the Sociedade Recreativa e Musical Sanluizense for community events.
Contact the Foundation
Interested in learning more about Fundação O Cerro's activities or collaborating on its projects? Get in touch with us.