Located between the Guadiana and the wavy plains of Alentejo, this Portuguese village invites to slow and curious discovery. With roots dating back to the Middle Ages and a territory that extends to the Spain border, it offers more than one heritage ride. Strategic location, landscape diversity and historical legacy make it an alternative for those who seek to escape mass tourism without abdicating a cultural and natural experience.
We talked about Alandroal, a village that belongs to the Évora district, being integrated in the north of the Alqueva Lake. According to the Vagamundos blog, it is a neighboring Raiana village of the municipalities of Elvas, Mourão, Redondo, Reguengos de Monsaraz and Vila Viçosa, as well as the Spanish province of Badajoz.
Medieval Castle and Historic Center
In the center of Vila Sobresai the castle of Alandroal, whose construction dates back to the thirteenth century, during the reign of D. Dinis. According to the same source, the castle is divided between the castelejo and the alcáçova, highlighting elements, such as the legal door, the shift tower and the door of the Arrabalde.
Next to the castle, the Mother Church of Our Lady of Conception is built in various styles over the centuries. According to the blog, it is possible to identify Manueline, Baroque and Neoclassical elements.
Paths on foot and miracouters
Still inside the village, Pelourinho, Praça da República, the source of the six bicas and the Rossio Parque de Arquiz make up a set that can be explored on a pedestrian ride. The route culminates in the São Bento swimming, a high point with a view to the Alentejo fields.
Writes the vacancy worlds which, although Alandroal village explore in a few hours, the real highlight of the county lies in its parishes, such as Terena and Juromenha.
Juromenha, the sentinel of the Guadiana
The Fortress of Juromenha, focused on Guadiana, dates back to the tenth century and has been successively adapted throughout history. It refers to the same source as the currently predominantly seventeenth century structure was erected during the Restoration War. Although still in the process of rehabilitation, the reopening to the public is scheduled for 2025.
Inside the fortified enclosure are located the Mother Church of Our Lady of Loreto, the old town halls and the chapel of mercy, all closed to visitation as the works take place.
Terena and the Marian Worship
A few kilometers from Juromenha is the medieval village of Terena, where the right street leads visitors to the church of mercy and local pillory. According to the vacancy Mundos, the main points of interest are the Castle of Terena and the Mother Church of St. Peter.
We recommend:
Near the village, the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Boa Nova stands like one of the most relevant temples in the region. Adds the publication that this fourteenth-century child church is distinguished by the freshness of the vault, which portray kings from the first dynasty and passages from the Revelation of St. John.
Blue Flag Fluvial Beach
In the summer months, the focus moves to aquatic leisure. Inaugurated in 2022, the river beach of Azenhas d’el Rei became, according to the same source, in one of the beaches of reference in the Alqueva Lake. The assignment of the blue flag at the opening underlines the quality of water and infrastructure.
With access to people with reduced mobility, resorts, rescue and panoramic bar, this river beach is one of the main attractions of the area during the hottest months.
Scripts for all stations
The climate influences activities to privilege in each season. In spring and autumn, mild temperatures favor the rides through heritage and the banks of the Guadiana. Explains the same blog that these times are the best for visiting the sanctuary, the historical villages and the natural corners of the county.
Already in summer, with temperatures often above 30 degrees the river beach gains protagonism, becoming the central destination for baths and water sports.
Between two countries
With a cross -border location, the county also allows the Spanish lands to perspective from various viewpoints. The view of Olivença, from the top of the Juromenha Fortress, is one of the most referred to. According to it, it is possible to walk trails around the fortification to observe the river and the horizon of the extreme.
Alandroal does not exhaust their points of interest in the county headquarters. With places of worship, military architecture, river beaches and border landscapes, the village and its wide territory constitute a diverse proposal for those who want to discover the Alentejo outside the usual circuits.
Also read:
