At this time of year, Alentejo has several attractions for those who like to visit museus, castles, enjoy the comfort of hotels with indoor pools to relax, and a unique and very typical.
Start in Estremoz
The entrance to Estremoz is made by one of the four doorsdo checkulo XVII that pierce the castle. A Alentejo village, known for its white marble depositsstone present in the Roman Temple and in the altar-mor of Évora Cathedral, would have been founded by a group of exiles who settled there and ended up founding the town, which the rno D. Afonso III, the 1258, granted a foral and a bconnection with the Sun, the Moon, the stars and a lupine tree that, according to legend, gave rise to the name. The Keep is the tallest in the country, with 127 steps.
On Saturdays the city fills with people to visit the mmarket which, in addition to fresh regional products, has antiques and antiques.
To eat, there is no shortage delicacys afamadasalgumas in historic locations. The dishes are pieces of Alentejo served at the table – from sliced quinces, gratin, with muscat and spicesathe Maltese water pudding.
A few meters away, the muse municipalfounded in 1880, the oldest in the country, shows the traditional dolls of Estremoz. There are 15 certified artisans and they are multiple the themes of this art. In the past, sis barrista was a rare work for women.
Visiting other mused, not Palace of Henriques or Torchdo sshield XVIIIewe found more than 4500 tiles, in 36 rooms, representing another Portuguese art, known throughout the world.Over three floors, it is possible to see tiles that come from ancient Persia to current affairs.
At the same time, there are always exhibitions of artesanato e aplastic arts. A arte urbana, contemporary already has aassociation created and work to show, especially in the painting of mthe presidency.
Stops in Alandroal and Borba
Leaving Estremoz, you have to stop at Alandroalat 341 meters of altitude. The land was elevated to town status in 1486, by charter given by the king D. João II and has three castelos .
Who If you appreciate the nectar of the gods, especially from Alentejo, must go a Fightwith the walling castle of the town, Fonte das Bicas, unavoidable in Alentejo Wine Route. There, to eat good cheese, sausages e regional dishes, there’s no shortage of offers.
Arrival in Vila Viçosa
Jthere in Vila Viçosawhere the Dukes of Bragança were kept for several centuries, until the proclamation of the Republic, the suggestion goes to a hluxury hotel with a family atmosphere, built in various tones of stone. To relax, there are swimming pools, immersion and relaxation tanks, with treatments, in a spadifferent – an old quarry with exposed rock.
If you want to eat at vila, you can count on historic restaurants. Os convent sweets, such as breadcrumbs, farófias, and serica (that you may know from sericaia)are present.
Afterwards, take a walk to help your digestion. Can cstart by walls of checkChapter XIII do castelo built in the centuries XIV e XV – which has two unmissable poles, archaeology ede csteel, with 70% of collectors individuals, the remaining belongedao rno D. Carlos. Younger children tend to love the Africa Room where there is a lion and one giant Nile crocodile.
During the visit too Doge’s Palace, It would take a day to see everything carefully.During the domain filipino, it was the seat of the largest ducal court in the Iberian Peninsula. Apost 1640, it was a holiday residence. Em 1755, was greatly affected by the earthquake and, in the start do checkhead XIXwas looted during the French Invasions.
There are several museum centerswith a collection artistic, which tells the story of Casa de Bragança over the last 500 years. In armaria, you can see the third largest collection of weapons in Europe, from the 19th centuryulo XVI until the daycentury XXI – a total of 2600 pieces of armas and estand up Me on kitchen are 2500 kilos of cwork, in personalized pieces by D. Carlos. There are 36 scomplete and well-ornamented wings to visit. Highlight is the Dukes’ Room, measuring 160 square meters, with walls covered in Damascus silk, with the largest and oldest Persian carpet in the world. Already thejardim was created in 1787, by rainha D. Mariain the old pichair.
Before returning, a mandatory stop and in one of more than 30 quarries in operation, to see how the extraction of tons of marble, internationally recognized for its quality.
