montemor-o-novo
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Montemor-o-Novo
Montemor-o-Novo Castle – Situated on the highest hill in the region and most likely located on a pre-historic castro occupied by Romans or Arabs. In the era of the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the king D. Sancho I conquested this region and ordered the initial build of this medieval castle in 1203. Later, cerca 1365, the king D.Dinis decided to build a wall enclosing the castle to reinforce defenses. Montemor-o-novo had many prosperous years due to the fact that Évora, a nearby town, was the official royal residence, encouraging trade and commerce in the entire region.
Arraiolos
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Castle – The Arraiolos Castle was built by the king D.Dinis, in the early 14th century, making it his official residence. It is made up of two sets of fortifications. One is the outer round wall defended by a high tower; having only two entrances – the Santarém Gate and the Town Gate – it was certainly of difficult access to possible invaders. The other fortification is called Paço de Alcaides, which loosely translated means the Mayor’s Court, enclosed by a high wall, a 4 story keep to the east, lofty guard’s quarters and palatial residences.
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Tapestry – Arraiolos is famous for its woolen rugs and tapestries. The stitch used on a jute, cotton or linen canvas is named Arraiolos. This stitch has many advantages, but mainly it gives the tapestry the strength and durability to make it of practical and everyday use, while allowing for a faithful reproduction of the typical geometric patterns and artistic designs.
évora
Évora deserves a passionate visit. It gives you proof that is has been growing over the course of many centuries: monumental churches, historical squares, medieval roads, roman ruins… The surrounding regions include: wheat plantations, rolling hill, ponds and streams, untouched landscape of undeniable beauty.
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Giraldo Square – This square is named in honor of Giraldo the Fearless, for his conquests against the moors. This historical central square lined with archways, holds the fountain and church of Saint Anton, sating back to the 16t century, as well as the Tourism Office, shops and restaurants. Nearby you can find many places to stay overnight, colorful bars and handicraft shops.
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Roman Temple – Commonly known as Temple of Diana, these roman ruins are one of a kind in Portugal and believed to have been constructed around the 1st century AD. It was incorporated into a medieval castle explaining how it has survived the ages in such perfect condition.
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Saint Francis Square – At this square you will find the Saint Francis Church, built between the 15th and 16th centuries. The church shows majestic proportions, built in Gothic Style with Manueline influences. It is best known for its lugubrious Chapel of the Bones. Also located in this square is also D. Manuel’s Palace (16th century), the Municipal Market and the Centre of Traditional Art.
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Muralhas -Évora is one of the rare cities that Portuguese kept almost intact the ancient walls. These were integrated from the Roman era, successive fortified lines built by the Visigoths, Moors and medieval Portuguese to protect the village. From the century. Sixteenth part of the track was renovated and adapted to the use of artillery. The outer ring lets go, drive or walk around the perimeter still walled
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Sertório Square – Located in this square: City Hall; Roman Baths; Church and Convent of Salvador; D. Isabel Arch (Late roman archway). Here you can also find dining options, handicraft shops and inns.
Conde Vila Flor Square – Here you can find ruins of the Roman Temple, the Évora museum, Public Library, the church and convent of Lóios (which has been transformed into an inn), the Palace of the Dukes of Cadaval and the traditional horse and sleigh ride around the city.
Stone Wall – Évora is one of the rare cities that has been able to maintain the old outer wall that enclosed the city. With time the wall was integrated into the many fortifications that were built for defense. You can walk or drive around the entire limit of the exterior wall.
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Saint Mary’s Cathedral – monumental church in Romantic-gothic style, built between the 13th and 14th centuries. You can also visit the cloister and the museum of religious art.
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Old Castle - . Late-Roman Wall (Cerca Velha). Chapel of S. Miguel. Palace of the Counts of Basto (private). Streets Freiria Angle and Low. Museum of Carriages. Solar dos Condes de Portalegre. Headboard Cathedral (XVIII century).
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University of Évora – this university holds a great historic value, being the second oldest in Portugal, founded in the 16th century. Here you can visit the 18th century Baroque chapel and appreciate the Tuscan-arched Renaissance cloister.
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Old Castle – You can see the old late-roman wall, S. Miguel’s hermitage, a privately owned palace, the Carriage museum, the manor of the Earl of Portalegre and the aose of the Cathedral.
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Moura Gate Square – Near here was the original entrance to town. In the middle os the square is a unique looking globular 16th century Renaissance fountain. There are many elegant mansions around this square, but in evidence is the Cordovil House, built in Manueline-moorish style. Across the road to the west you can also view the extraordinary Manueline stone doorway of the Church of Carmo.
REguengo de monsaraz
A city situated in the Alentejo region, which is mainly agriculture orientated. It’s located in magnificent golden plains contrasting with the deep blue of the Alqueva Water Reservoire. Reguengos de Monsaraz is quite famous for the wines produced in the region. This is a region with innumerous traces from the Paleolithic Era that confirms the existence of cultures from ancient times.
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Castle – the castle of Monsaraz was built by the king D. Dinis in 1310 on an already existing defense structure. It is said to have been a pre-historic castro and later roman, visigothic and arab traces can also be identified. This national monument is home to breathtaking views of the Alqueva dam.
*We offer the option of a visit to a Wine Estate in the region on request ..
