Travel to Portugal

Portalegre

A town located close to the border of Spain that has strong religious background and this is evident by the number of churches and monasteries dating from the 13th Century. What to see: the Cathedral, St.Bernardo Convent, the church of St. Francisco Monastery (13th-18th cent.), and the Regional, Sacred Art, Municipal Library and Casa de José Régio Museums, the ruined castle which is is of medieval origin.

Ponte de Sor

The city's name is derived from the first roman bridge, which was part of the 3rd military road connecting Lisbon to Merida. An area of upheaval in between borders during the reconquest, Ponte de Sor, which initially belonged to the Templars, was taken back by the Order of St. Benedict. Its first "Foral Charter" was bestowed upon it by the Diocese of Évora in 1161, and later ratified by D. Manuel. Once the roman bridge was gone, King João VI had the bridge that stands today built in 1822

Moura

The name of Moura (Moorish woman or girl) is born from a mixture of legend and history. Salúquia, daughter of the region´s Moorish governor, was waiting for the arrival of her lover when his sequit was attacked and he was killed by the Portuguese, who then used the Arabs´ clothes to trick Salúquia into ordering the drawbridge to be lowered. She is said to have committed suicide, throwing herself from the castle tower, both by grief for her bridegroom´s death and guilt for the enemy´s victory.

Montemo

Distinguished by the ancestral force of religious orders and rural nobility, expressed in beautiful 17th century manor houses, in several convents (some restored to provide new functions), in churches which display Manueline doorways, rich Baroque altars and unforgettable frescos and tiles. The memory of those times lives serenely with the present and integrates itself with it, as in the more modest houses which have a steadier history.

Mértola

The town’s main attraction is its castle, built by the Moors, with a guard tower from the 13th-century. The main church, with its sculpted façade, contains elements from the Manueline period, occupies the site of what once was an ancient mosque. Mértola has three important museum sites as a consequence of the intense archeological activity there. The Roman museum occupies the Town Hall building. The Islamic collection includes the country’s most important archive of ceramic objects. Here too is one of the rarest early Christian basilicas in the entire Iberian peninsula (dating from the V century).

Marvão

This calm town is completely surrounded by walls dating from the 13th to the 17th century. From the narrow streets filled with neat white houses a spectacular view can be obtained, as Marvão stands at more than 862 metres high. Near Marvão, one can play golf at Vale da Aramenha,. What to see: 15th century mother church and the Municipal Museum, open in the former church of Santa Maria and displaying local ethnological and cultural traditions and archaeological findings. Rua do Espírito Santo, with the former governor´s house exhibiting beautiful iron-wrought balconies from the 17th century, leads to the castle, mostly built by King Dinis in 1299 and dominating the village.

Evora

Museum town of Roman origins, with historic center classified in UNESCO's International Heritage list. It was taken from the Moors in 1166 by an outlaw knight, Gerald the Fearless, who scaled the walls at night on a ladder of lances. Évora later became a popular residence of Portuguese kings. What to see while you are there: Roman temple; Cathedral, housing Sacred Art Museum; S. Brás Chapel; S.Francisco Church  and St.John the Baptist Church ; churches of Nossa Senhora da Graca , St.Antão and S.Vicente . Palaces: Archiepiscopal, Dom Manuel and Dukes of Cadaval. Special reference also to: Praça de Giraldo, with medieval arches; Aqueduct; Convents of St.Clara, St.Helena do Calvário and Lóios ; University; ancient Jewish quarter; Évora Museum. Guided Tours available departing from Lisbon

Estremoz

Besides the large cities, very few Portuguese towns have been the setting for as many dramatic moments of their national history as Estremoz.The town is crowned by a 13th century castle, with a citadel  and St.lsabel Chapel. Special reference to the Gothic Dom Dinis Palace, S.Francisco Church and Convent, Pacos do Concelho , Maltesas Convent , and the Municipal Museum. The church of the Misericórdia located on Estremoz's large market square was once a convent of the Knights of Malta.

Sousel

It is a quiet town with several interesting churches, such as the Mother Church (16th century and including emblazoned grave-stones of artistic and historical value), the Miserichord Church (18th century, with a gilded altarpiece) or the Church of Our Lady of Oratory (dating from the 15th century but later altered and enlarged, with blue and white painted tiles from the 18th century), among others.

Elvas

Famous for its sugar plums, Elvas is also a citadel, whose Spain-facing fortifications match those of Badajoz across the border. Three imposing gates lead into the city which, during its long and chequered history, has been besieged by Moors, Spaniards, Frenchmen and Englishmen. There you can find the Romano-Moorish in origin, Elvas Castle was rebuilt for King Sanco III in 1226. The 16th-century octagonal church of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos is one of the prettiest sights in Portugal. Its main appeal lies in the fine marble columns and spectacular yellow and blue azulejo glazed tiles added in the 17th century.