Aldeias Históricas de Portugal

Villages

Bracejo

Sortelha

Sortelha

Bracejo (Brachypodium phoenicoides) is a filiform plant which grows in clumps, in dry terrain at medium altitude levels. They are a very popular food for ruminants, especially cattle. Since ancient times, it has been used for weaving. Bracejo grows wild in the countryside and is collected by artisans for use as a raw material. With the help of a needle and raffia, the bracejo is weaved into the most varied objects for domestic and decorative use, namely, mats, baskets, various bases and whatever the imagination can create. It is also still commonly used for brooms.