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Cobertor de Papa: the shepherds' blanket that Maçainhas still weaves
A pure wool blanket, dense and almost waterproof, made in Maçainhas by one of the last crafts of its kind. The story of the genuine Cobertor de Papa from Beira Alta.
In this article
By Luís Serra, co-founder of Ra-Ro · View profile
About a 3 minute read
There are blankets that keep you warm and there are blankets that tell the story of a whole mountain range. The Cobertor de Papa is one of the latter: it is born in Maçainhas, in Beira Alta, from wool beaten until it becomes as dense as felt, warm and almost waterproof. For centuries it was the companion of shepherds on the cold nights of the sierra.
What is the "papa" of a blanket?
The "papa" is the dense, fleecy layer that forms when the woven wool is trodden and beaten in the fulling mill, with water, until the fibres interlock. It is this operation that gives the blanket its thick body, its warmth and its resistance to wind and rain.
Why is it born in Maçainhas?
Maçainhas, near Guarda, is one of the last places where this know-how endures. The wool from the region's sheep, the loom and the fulling mill form a chain that has almost been lost - and which here is still carried out from start to finish.
Who keeps this craft alive?
O Genuíno Cobertor de Papa is one of the few who still weave and full these blankets in the old way. Each piece is unique: the wool, the beating and the time never produce two exactly identical blankets.
Ra-Ro Index
Unique
Cobertor de Papa (Shepherd's Blanket), by O Genuíno Cobertor de Papa
Discover at Ra-RoFrequently asked questions
What is the Cobertor de Papa?
A thick blanket of pure wool made in Maçainhas. The "papa" is the dense, fleecy layer, created by treading the wool, which makes it warm, full-bodied and almost waterproof.
Who makes it and where?
O Genuíno Cobertor de Papa, in Maçainhas, near Guarda, in Beira Alta - one of the last to keep the craft going from start to finish.
How is it made?
The wool is spun, woven on a loom and then trodden and beaten in the fulling mill, with water, until the fibres interlock and form the dense "papa".
Why is it so rare?
Very few weavers and active fulling mills remain. It is an almost extinct craft, and each piece is unique - hence the Unique level of the Ra-Ro Index.
How is it used?
As a blanket or bedspread, or as a decorative piece with character. Traditionally, shepherds used it as a cape against the cold and rain of the sierra.
How to care for the piece?
Dry cleaning is recommended, along with airing it out from time to time. Fulled wool is naturally hard-wearing and lasts for decades with simple care.
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