Portuguese architect Siza Vieira, winner of the BigMat’17 National Prize for Portugal, was responsible for designing the Zebro viewpoint, situated on a rocky massif in the Serra do Moradal, near the ER 238 in Oleiros, north-central Portugal. This marks his second viewing platform project, following the construction of a watchtower in the nearby Proença-a-Nova region.

The Zebro Viewpoint is part of the International Appalachian Trail, which stretches across the Serra do Moradal for 37 kilometers of trails. Officially called the Grande Rota do Muradal-Pangeia, it is known as „the longest continuous human climbing trail in the world.“

Siza’s design features an impressive circular platform made of reinforced concrete, covering 225 square meters with a 15-meter diameter. The platform includes two circular glass openings that allow visitors to gaze down at the landscape of the Naturtejo Geopark from a height of 200 meters.

Visitors access the platform via a small ramp with a 110 cm high guardrail made of bars and a flexible stainless steel mesh. The viewpoint was inaugurated on April 25th, coinciding with the anniversary of the Carnation Revolution.

The name „Zebro“ is derived from a species of wild horse that roamed the Iberian Peninsula until the 16th century, as referenced in several medieval texts. Set on a rocky plateau in Serra do Moradal beside the ER 238, the Zebro Viewpoint is naturally accessible due to the area’s terrain.

Overlooking the vast valley through which the Zêzere River flows, the circular platform is cantilevered off the rock. The entire structure is made of exposed reinforced concrete. The platform’s guardrail, also made of exposed concrete, stands 110 cm high, and two walkable glass panels offer striking views of the landscape below.

The viewpoint is integrated into the International Appalachian Trail, respecting the natural characteristics of the local climbing routes.