The Region

Crato _

«The main church… in addition to 14th and 16th century images of good print, and the Pietá that came from Rhodes, offered by the grand master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, has good tiles with the usual religious motifs, but, unexpectedly, it also proposes profane hunting and fishing scenes to the attention of the faithful. This is a good moral: pray to save the soul, but don't forget that it is necessary to distract and feed the body... There is the church of Crato, on the cornice, a fascinating set of human and fantastic figures that are not common in our lands: urns, cups and gargoyles are used as support and justification for the representation of saints, angels and strange beings from the medieval imagination. The stone is a very dark granite that at this time is outlined in black against the deep blue of the sky.” in Journey to Portugal, José Saramago. Don't forget to take a tour of the old part, passing by the balcony of the former palace of the Grand Prior of the Order of the Hospital. 2 kilometers away, the fortified church of Flor da Rosa, founded in 1356 by Álvaro Gonçalves Pereira, father of the Constable, is a must visit.

Alter do Chão

«In Alter do Chão, the castle is in the village as if it were on a tray…. Here it is the village that surrounds the castle, not the castle that with its walls surrounds and protects the village. (…)But there is another beauty in Alter…It's the fountain. An airy construction ordered by D. Teodósio II, fifth Duke of Bragança, in 1556, will remember fondly the times when it was offered in the middle of the square to the headquarters of all… time, the medallions and scrolls faded, the Corinthian capitals broken. The traveler is uncomfortable with the death of beautiful things. It is a disguised way of not conforming to the death of all things.” in Journey to Portugal, José Saramago. Nearby, in the vicinity of the parish of Seda, crossing the stream with the same name, beautiful and robust, it resisted until today without repair, the Roman bridge of Vila Formosa, 116 meters long and 9 meters high, with six decorated arches, with leaking eyes so that, in the event of a flood, the bridge floor will not be flooded. 2000 years old in a perfect work. Unmissable.

Border

Fronteira is an Alentejo village located on the left bank of the Avis stream. In addition to being able to visit the Interpretation Center of the Battle of Atoleiros, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful Mother Church, the Churches of Espírito Santo, Senhor dos Mártires, the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Vila Velha, the beautiful building of Paços do Concelho, the pillory and even the railway station with beautiful tile panels with scenes of rural life. Among the white houses with colorful stripes, there are also manor houses from the 18th century, showing the agricultural riches of the region. The surrounding nature is generous, allowing for beautiful landscapes, with that of Praia Fluvial da Ribeira Grande next to the medieval bridge of the 17th century. XVI, offering various sports and leisure activities to all visitors.

Sousel

Its pillory, reconstructed, is surmounted by a curious twisted column, which ends with four frowns. From the 15th century is the small temple dedicated to Senhora da Orada, with an interior covered in 18th century tiles.

Portalegre

José Régio House Museum

For collectors of all types and lovers of this poet, his house is a place to set a visit on the agenda. The guide surprises with the culture and passion for the poet and poetry. Don't stop listening.

Santa Clara Convent

Convent of Poor Clares built by the queen, D. Leonor Teles in 1376. It is the second oldest in the city. The cloisters and in particular the late-Baroque fountain inside are worth a visit. Today the Municipal library is located here and admission is free.

Municipal Museum

Great! For 4.20 euros (price for two people) we have a guided tour of the beautiful collection of the museum for approximately 1 hour. Not to be missed are the watercolors of Arsenic of the Resurrection.

Portalegre Tapestry Museum

Museum of fantastic art, which should be more recognized and supported, otherwise the knowledge of people who have the immense ability to match the works of great painters with tapestry will be lost. Imagine how difficult it would have been for weavers to be able to make a rug from a painting by Vieira da Silva or a work by Almada Negreiros, 12.6m long by 2.5m high.

Museum not to be missed! Amazing !

Convent of St. Bernard

The site is being occupied by the city guard. You can request authorization to visit at the concierge, as well as presenting an identification document. The hours are from 9 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 5:30 pm. Founded by Bishop D. Jorge de Melo, it preserves its tomb, attributed to Nicolau Chanterene, Renaissance, in Estremoz marble, a masterpiece, measuring 12 meters high and 6 meters wide. Philip II of Spain (I of Portugal) would have commented on him during his visit to Portalegre: «big cage for such a small bird» .

Badajoz

Great city under the rule of the Moors, but centuries of conflict robbed it of its former splendor. The Alcazaba houses the Archaeological Museum , with more than 15,000 pieces from all over the province. Relatively close by is the 13th-18th century Cathedral , with a rich interior and a beautiful tiled cloister.

Estremoz

From the walled city, the soft quadrilateral of the keep stands out , with its 27 meters high, built in marble. Next to the Santarém arch, close to the curtain wall, admire the set of windows and balconies of the old Casa da Câmara House, from the 19th century. XIV. The temple dedicated to S. Francisco from the 19th century. XIII, whose arcade of three naves overlaps the choir is medieval.

The Estremoz dolls – are since 07-12-2017 UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity . an art with more than three centuries and that is part of the cultural identity of this county. More than one hundred different figures are inventoried and new themes are invented every day, always related to the daily lives of the people of Alentejo, in their rural and urban life. Go through Estremoz slowly and patiently, being able to appreciate and purchase, in the various shops and ateliers, what our barristas produce so genuinely and visit the Municipal Museum of Estremoz Prof. Joaquim Vermelho , where you will discover a good exhibition of this art. Be sure to also visit the Centro Ciência Viva de Estremozwhere you will discover how the place where we all inhabit… the Earth works; a wonderful planet where all phenomena appear interconnected.

Olivença

To get there, pass the Ajuda Bridge, which was destroyed by the floods, the Restoration War and the War of the Spanish Succession. A Portuguese enclave until 1801, Olivença has a hybrid and colorful character, where the Portuguese influence is notorious, especially in terms of heritage. The medieval castle is inside the walled city , where there are also three churches: Santa Maria del Castillo , which has a naive family tree of the Virgin Mary; Santa Maria Magdalena , with glorious spiral columns, a fine example of the Portuguese Manueline style of the 19th century. XVI; Holy House of Mercy, unmistakable because of its blue and white tile panels. The crossing to Olivença, the land that Portugal claims as its own, but which Spain has administered since 1801, is now made on asphalt, but also through language, singing and dancing. It is made by the toponymy in Portuguese spread through the streets and squares. On the floor designed in Portuguese stone pavement. By the keep of D. João IIof Portugal that even from afar announces the city. For the Manueline-style monuments, such as the church of Santa Maria Madalena, which whispers to us at every corner in the language of Camões, stories of heroes and deeds from across the sea. And it is now also made by the 1,300 Oliventinos who, since 2012, have applied for Portuguese nationality, more than 10% of a population that does not reach 13 thousand people, distributed across the municipalities of Olivença and Táliga – other Oliventinos continue, in fact, to wait for a response from the Portuguese State to complete the respective processes.

Cáceres

Cáceres was, in 1949, the first Spanish city considered a World Heritage Site . The peaceful Renaissance town of today dates from the 15th and 16th centuries, whose buildings were left intact by the wars of the 19th and 20th centuries. Noteworthy are the Casa y Torre de Carvajal , the Iglesia de Santa Maria , the Casa de los Golfines de Abajo , the Arco de la Estrella , the Barrio de San Antonio , the Casa del Sol , the Casa y Torre de las Cigueñas .

Merida

Founded by Augustus in 25 BC, Augusta Emerita was the capital of Roman Lusitania. It has many Roman monuments, where stand out: the Roman Theater , one of the best preserved in the world. Next, an Amphitheater and Gardens , with the Casa del Anfiteatro nearby, with its underground galleries and large areas of mosaics. In addition to these, the Temple of Diana , the Arch of Trajan , and the Ponte do Guadiana should also be noted . Also noteworthy are the National Museum of Roman Art , the Visigoth Art Museum and the Alcazaba Walls.. The “Mérida Archaeological Ensemble” was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1993 , due to its historical and monumental importance.

Évora

Unique heritage of exemplary preservation. Monumental City. «World Heritage» , declared by UNESCO on 25 November 1986. A dozen Tapirs, one of which – Zambujeiro de Valverde – is the largest known with a polygonal chamber; the monumental Aqueduto da Prata – 16th century –, 18 km long; the fountains at Praça do Giraldo and Portas de Moura ; the unique convent of S. Bento de Castris ; the Lóios Convent ; the Church of S. Francisco , with its Manueline portal; the Cathedral founded in 1186, with a Latin cross plan; the Roman temple called Diana , from the 16th century. I, awalled city , make Évora an extraordinary city.