We needed a fireplace grate but couldn't find what we wanted in any of the area stores. A neighbor told us about a blacksmith shop less than a half-mile from home, so we walked there and when we left we became acquainted with some some helpful and friendly people.

The business is located in an addition to an old stone house in Fonte de Ambroa, a small settlement just beyond the local church. The owner of the shop is Don José Porca, a remarkably spry 83-year-old artisan whose grandfather founded the shop over 100 years ago, probably to make farm implements. He's retired now but spends quite a bit of time in the shop because he lives in the adjacent house. His son-in-law, and a cousin of the son-in-law, are the professional blacksmiths now and they do the heavy lifting these days. It was the cousin with whom we originally spoke about making our fireplace grate.

Sr. Porca's grandson hasn't joined the business but runs a commercial nursery on the property, where he maintains a large greenhouse and a field of ornamental trees and other plants. Because of this there is some concern about how they will keep the blacksmith business in the family 20-30 years from now.

During our visit, he brought out some of the things he's making these days out of blocks of iron. The statues of Don Quixote and Sancho Panza are done in detail right down to the shoestrings and he is justifiably proud of his work, which he says are not for sale. He scoffed when we asked if he could have made them from castings and proudly showed us how each one is slightly different because they're chiseled by hand. This man is an artist!