The story of terra da paz

Spring 2022

Aerial view of a large body of water with numerous small islands and peninsulas, some with shrubs and sparse vegetation, under a partly cloudy sky during sunset or sunrise.

  • The journey began when we found this magical land and envisioned a place where nature, creativity, and community could flourish.

Summer 2023

A group of people gathered under a canopy outdoors by a river, sitting on the ground, drawing and engaging in various activities.

  • A small group of close friends gathers to lay the foundation stones that will shape Equilíbrio.

Spring 2023

A wooden sculpture resembling a tower or chimney near a body of water, with trees and a sunset sky in the background.

  • Lead by Igor, Louis de Kerchove and a team of volunteers who brought our first art piece to life.

September 2024

A large group of people gathered outdoors in front of a wooden art installation resembling a large, curved architectural structure. There is a wooden sign in the foreground that reads 'EQUILIBRIO'. The background features trees and a clear sky.

  • 200 guests coming together to create Equilíbrio: a mix between a retreat and a festival

Spring 2025

Close-up of a keychain with two gold keys and a small black cat-shaped charm.
People gathered outdoors near a lake during sunset, with some sitting on the grass and others standing, and a person speaking into a microphone near the water.

  • Originally created by Benjamin Langholz for Burning Man, this artwork now stands on Terra da Paz, inviting us to slow down, connect, and be present.

September 2025

Close-up of a brown CD with a white center
A woman with curly hair and tattoos raised her hands in front of a DJ setup at an outdoor festival or beach party, with people dancing and socializing in the background under large white fabric canopies.
A close-up of a brown object with a white circular feature in the center, possibly a coin or a badge.

  • As the gathering grows, new stages come to life, creating spaces for learning, expression, and celebration through workshops, live performances, and DJ sets.

September 2026

A table with a blue checkered tablecloth and two wooden chairs set outdoors near a small lake, with a rocky and grassy landscape in the background under a clear sky.
Close-up of a brown speaker or electronic device with a circular speaker opening

  • This year’s theme is “Paz”. As we witness conflict rising in the world, we want to invite an intention of peace for this gathering. Join us for this last dance!

October 2026

A close-up illustration of a vinyl record with a beige outer ring, a white middle section with a smaller beige circle, and a black center label.
A person standing on a grass-covered hilltop during sunset or sunrise, with distant trees and clouds in the background, and mist or fog settling in the valley below.

  • With our first retreat, we set out to help people reconnect with the present moment, embracing the restorative power of nature and stillness.

Spring 2027

Close-up of a brown and white compact disc or DVD with a central hole.
Silhouette of people sitting and talking on a curved bridge over a river at sunset, with a crescent moon in the sky and a calm landscape in the background

  • We start construction in 2027 of 55 rooms retreat center integrated into a large scale Art Park. We open in 2030.

What’s next?

A close-up of a brown object with a circular white and gray feature on it, possibly a speaker or a button.

We’re taking a pause on our beloved Equilíbrio Festival after the September 2026 edition to make space for our first Silêncio retreat and to get ready to embark on the adventure of bringing the Art Park to life.

Close-up of a brown and white cuckoo clock with a circular face

Learn more about our vision below, follow along on our journey, and if you feel called to contribute in some way, get in touch!

Close-up of a brown speaker with a white circular cone
Close-up of a brown and white object with a circular design on a black background.

TERRA DA PAZ

LAND OF PEACE

FAQ

  • “A silent retreat center in the middle of an Art Park”

    Located in the magical countryside of Alqueva, Portugal, we are creating a place for meaningful experiences rooted in nature, art, peace, and human connection.`


  • 2.5 hours from Lisbon, at the end of a dirt road, you will arrive at Terra da Paz. A 400-hectare land surrounded by the majestic lake of Alqueva, wild flowers and magical oak trees.

    Google Maps

  • To connect people with the present moment in meditation, art and nature.

  • We protect and care for this land with humility and intention, allowing its beauty, wisdom, and wildness to guide our path.

    We believe that nature should be protected. The regulations in these parks are strict, and that's a good thing.

    We respect them and only redevelop existing buildings that have been abandoned. Outside of these buildings (which represent less than 0.1% of the land), we are working with local experts to give some love back to the soil.

    The previous owners have significantly reduced its biodiversity and degraded the soil quality by cutting down almost all the trees, grazing cows, and planting pine monocultures.

    These are not healthy natural parks. So a big part of this project is to intervene on the land with regenerative practices to help it regain its biodiversity.

    Nature doesn't need humans to thrive. It will always find a way without us. But we believe that sometimes it can use a bit of help from good-hearted monkeys.

    We regenerate the land as we learn to regenerate ourselves.

  • We believe art has the power to awaken, transform, and unite. Through our commitment to artistic expression, we cultivate experiences that spark curiosity, presence, and meaningful connection.

  • A mix between a retreat and a festival, we gather around a lake with creative workshops, live music, and inspiring art. Join us for our last dance!

  • Our first Silent retreat - a meaningful, challenging experience set to bring us back to the present moment. Join us in October!

  • We start construction on Terra da Paz in 2027 and will open in Spring 2030.

    We are looking for three passionate creatives to join our team.

    1. An architect who sees buildings as instruments of presence.

    2. A landscape designer who treats nature as a colleague

    3. A project manager that can orchestrate the whole thing.

    If you are curious to hear more, please send us an email at ola@terradapaz.com and we'll get in touch with more information about the role you're interested in.

Silhouette of a dog with a ball in its mouth, standing against a sunset background with trees.

Help shape Terra da Paz

We're building something unique — download our deck to learn more about our vision and open roles.

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