Monsaraz, the graceful medieval village of Monsaraz, maintains the magic from ancient times like few others in the world. Made of lime and schist, this place whispers us, between the echo of our footsteps in its streets. A lot of magnificent stories could be told about its courageous kings, Knights Templar, brave people and dames of simple beauty. Suspended in time, the historic village, one of the oldest in Portugal, is a mandatory destination to add to your list of places to visit in Alentejo. Especially after, in 2017, it won the category “Monument Villages” in the competition 7 Maravilhas de Portugal – Aldeias (7 wonders of Portugal – Villages).

Mourão is a lovely village situated in the vast Alentejo’s region, on the left bank of the wide Guadiana river, nearby the border with Spain, in a place of great natural beauty, where peace of mind is the rule. Mourão has always been marked by the Guadiana river, that has much contributed for the surrounding fertile soils where olive and almond trees grow, among other pleasant trees that characterize the lovely landscape. Mourão is proud of its monuments and traditions, like its Castle and the baroque Mother Church of Nossa Senhora das Candeias (17th and 18th centuries), and the many green areas around in the region, like the Mata de São Bento.

Evora is a delightful Portuguese town that was originally founded by the Romans, later fortified by the Moors and flourished during the 15th century. This extensive history has provided Evora with a variety of interesting tourist attractions and historical monuments. This guide will detail the main tourist sights and attractions of Evora.

The Capela dos Ossos (Chapel of Bones) is a fascinating chapel with a very macabre atmosphere. Ranking as one of Evora’s most visited sites, this eerie tourist attraction is not for the faint hearted. This small, unassuming chapel is actually home to the final resting place of hundreds of bodies; all exhumed from the city’s graveyards in the 16th Century.

Monsaraz Castle is a unique touristic spot in Portugal. It is one of the most splendid places to look at the wonderful Alqueva Dam. This is the largest artificial lake in Europe and one of the greatest Portuguese constructions of the century. Slowly walk towards the village centre. At Largo D. Nuno Álvares Pereira (square), enter the stunning Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Lagoa (church). This religious monument was built with schist in the 16th century on the ruins of a gothic church, destroyed due to the black plague. Constructed in the Renaissance style, it has a beautiful pediment, decorated by a tile panel and an Order of Christ Cross. In the interior, carefully study the tomb of Gomes Martins Silvestre, a Knight Templar, first Alcaide (Mayor) of Monsaraz. This tomb is made of marble from Estremoz. It has seventeen sculpted figures on the front representing a funeral procession.