Paulo Gonçalves left his profession as a photographer to dedicate himself to another art: breeding Buckfast bees in Monção and Melgaço. Resistant to diseases and excellent honey producers, they are also known for their gentleness.
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Texto de Teresa Castro Viana
Fotografias de Joana Freitas
Paulo Gonçalves grew up surrounded by bees – “they were always part of my life, we already had them at home” – but his involvement deepened in 2006, when he first encountered Buckfast bees. This is a hybrid breed developed from 1919 by Brother Adam, a Benedictine monk at Buckfast Abbey in England. “He was of German origin, and since he gave many lectures, after his death, a German group founded the European Federation of Buckfast Beekeepers,” Paulo explains.
He left his profession as a photographer, attended courses and lectures to learn more about these insects, and has been fully dedicated to beekeeping since 2011. Gentleness, hygiene, and productivity are the main traits of his bees, which he selectively breeds from the best hives of specific lines to preserve their strengths – “some of these bees have pedigree records dating back to 1943, before World War II.”
With eight apiaries in Monção and Melgaço, he sells honey, beeswax, and pollen, but what truly sets his project apart are the apitourism experiences. At the Virtelo apiary, in the parish of Cousso, Melgaço, Paulo welcomes visitors, especially in spring and summer, to interact with the bees. “I give a tour of the apiary, talk a bit about bee biology, take them through the lab, and finish by opening a strong hive,” says the beekeeper. And all without protective suits. “Some people even hold the bees in their hands right away to take a photo.”
At the end, there’s a tasting of honey and other regional products like cheese and bucho doce, a traditional dessert. “What I do is unique on the Iberian Peninsula,” he concludes.
