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Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious.Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

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Follow the links to read:

Alentejo 2 - Alcacer do Sal

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-2-alcacer-4689

Alentejo 3 - Grandola

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-3-grandola-4989

Alentejo 4 - Ferreira do Alentejo

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-4-ferreira-1757

Alentejo 5 - Serpa

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-6-serpa-2241

Alentejo 6 - Beja

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-5-beja-2030

Alentejo 7 - Moura

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-7-moura-2501

Alentejo 8/9 - Reguengos Monsaraz - Alqueva

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-89-2572

Alentejo 10 - Vila Viçosa

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-10-vila-6549

Alentejo 11 - Estremoz

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-11-estremoz-3284

Alentejo 12 - Arraiolos

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-12-3387

Alentejo 13/14 - Evora - Escoural

http://turiventos-turismoeventos.blogs.sapo.pt/travel-tips-tour-alentejo-1314-3650

 

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Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

Circuito do Alentejo capa eng.jpg

EVORA

Travel: Arraiolos ȃvora: 23 kms

Travel time (expected): 30 minutes

THE CITY

The city of Évora is the main urban center of the region, population and functional terms. The social and economic dynamics of the city has managed to buck the trend in the region as a whole, maintaining a similar growth to that of other medium-sized Portuguese cities by the year 2001, after reversing this trend, reflecting the influence of some significant migration still sufficient to compensate for the natural balance.

In recent decades the increasing urbanization of the population is presented as a trend globally, with the increase of population transfer of small clusters for large cities and for medium-sized cities. Although Portugal has a much lower rate of urbanization to the rest of the European area and the growth dynamics of urban centers continue to show higher values than the surrounding regions in the last decade, the population of Évora, in the previous decade had seen a increase close to 800 people, recorded a population increase of 77 inhabitants only.

Due to its location, Évora is constituted as space hinge between the Alentejo and Extremadura. In fact, the Sines Port Platform ensures the maritime transport of cargo between southern and northern Europe, as well as road access (by way IC33, IP2 and A6) throughout Europe, through the city-port of Elvas. It is accepted that this dynamic is enhanced in the future through the LTM rail corridor (Goods transport line).

Given its size, centrality and visibility in the national, Évora emerges as the pole with better conditions to lead the hierarchy of the regional urban system. Indeed, the city clearly has equity, cultural, academic vocation, and services, environmental quality, which seeks to boost the entire surrounding area to the city itself. Thus, the appreciation of the medium-sized cities network Alentejo region as well as the urban centers of influence above district council, is the main objective in the search for an integrated urban system. In conjunction with the national urban system, the medium-sized cities in the Alentejo region, with special relevance for Evora should contribute jointly to promote the harmonious development of regional complementary network.

 

Muralhas de Evora (Walls of Évora)

The Walls of Évora (about the medieval), also referred to as New About Évora or Fernandinas Walls of Évora, are located in the St. Anthony parish in the town of Evora, Portugal.

The whole is a National Monument since 1922, and integrates the entire Historic Centre of Évora, inscribed as a World Heritage UNESCO.2

The works of construction of this circuit walls began in the 14th century by order of Afonso IV of Portugal and lasted until the reign of Ferdinand I of Portugal.

Later, in the 17th century were reinforced by the construction of advanced bastions.

The set consists of the towers and wall panels erected in the 14th and 15th centuries to limit the medieval city, the towers of the ramp of the Collegiate, the Baluarte de San Bartolomé, the Public Garden, the Aviz doors, those located nearby the Calvary Convent (between the gates of Raimundo and the Lagoon), and between the stronghold of Count Lippe and the Cavalry Barracks.

These structures are characterized by different architectural styles, from Gothic and Manueline windows of the north and west elevations, the bastion style type of Aviz Port Vauban and other sections of seventeenth-century wall, to the revivalist style Raimundo port or a distortion of Port Lagoon, due to the numerous reedificações and renovations over the centuries.

 

muralha evora.jpg

 

Convento Santa Clara (Convent of Santa Clara)

The Convent of Santa Clara is located between the Serpa Pinto Street and Santa Clara, St. Anthony parish, in Évora.

This ancient religious house of Poor Clare nuns was founded in the 16th century by the then Bishop of Évora, D. Vasco Perdigao, with some features that individualized, at the time, the various Alentejo religious houses, such as the picturesque laced windows of the towers / lookouts. The church today has a baroque appearance (gilt and 18th century tiles) and beautiful murals at the top of the ship and the two choirs. The cloister and other convent buildings, such as the dining room and the room of the Chapter, remain more or less intact.

Due to the extinction of the Religious Orders, the convent closed on May 9, 1903, with the death of the last nun, Maria does Carmo Ludovina. Then entered in state ownership, which it installed a Barracks Infantry from 1911 to 1936. From that date, began serving the Industrial School and then Preparatory, having then been the subject of several restoration campaigns, which have kept the sober convent aspect of this vast building, now harboring the Escola EB 2,3 of Santa Clara.

Currently is installed in the church of Santa Clara the provisional core of the Museum of Évora, due to construction of the building where it is installed.

convento sta clara evora.jpg

 

 

Aqueduto da Água de Prata (The Silver Water Aqueduct)

The Aqueduct of Silver Water, also known as the Aqueduct Water Silver or Silver Aqueduct is a complex work of Renaissance hydraulic engineering in order to supply the city of Évora with water. Opened in 1537, was built during the reign of King John III and designed and built by the royal architect Francisco de Arruda.1 The aqueduct carries water from springs located in Divor of Grace, which "have their first principle in Herdade das Figueiras Wolf, to the city of Évora traveling about 18 Km. it is part of the Historic Centre of Évora included List of UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a National Monument since 1910. the aqueduct is one of the few this season that continues to operate today, contributing to the supply of the city.

History

It was developed in 1531 and was inaugurated on March 28, 1537, has an extension which runs about 18 Km from the Grace of Divor to its final destination, the city of Évora. Ordered the construction by order of King John III, was designed and built by the royal architect Francisco de Arruda. According to measurements made in the early 17th century (1606), the former Raceway sixteenth average 16 646 sticks, which are 8,323 fathoms, the equivalent of 18,310.60 meters.

Background

The development experienced by the city in the late Middle Ages, led to Évora halt great importance in the national urban structure. King John I (1385 - 1433) ranked as the second city of the Kingdom and the King Afonso V (1438 - 1481) chose it to headquarters of its military campaigns. In the 16th century the city acquires an even greater prestige, watching its peak in wealth, political importance, economic and cultural that time. In this century the court went on to stay long periods in Évora from the reign of King Manuel I, resulting in the construction of the Royal Palace, numerous palaces and wealthy houses of nobles, as well as convents, churches, schools and other buildings. It is also this century the foundation of the University of Évora by Cardinal Henry.

In the first decades of the 16th century the supply of drinking water to Évora was clearly insufficient, especially in the summer months. Further aggravated by the lack of water facilitated the appearance of fever with its tragic and deadly consequences. It is important to consider that the city of Évora had suffered in previous decades three plague epidemics with tragic consequences (1495, 1509 and 1523).

Despite the lack consistent scientific evidence, we consider the possibility have been another aqueduct, more or less superimposed on the sixteenth-century aqueduct, during the Roman occupation, when the Evora was called Ebora Liberalitas Iulia.

Building

After waiting for four decades and two vain attempts the work was finally achieved in a short time. In the 30s of the 16th century King John III mobilized important technical, human and financial resources to provide the city with the most extensive and complex project of hydraulic engineering of its time. For the construction of the aqueduct was also told the financial contribution of the nobility of Évora with 691,640 kings (old currency), through tax of the royal household incomes to launch the "great song".

The earliest description of what is known of the aqueduct is the time of the reign of King Philip I of Portugal and part of the Silver Water Aqueduct of Procedure dating from 1606:

"... The first water entering the Real pipe is in the mines where it has its principle, which is the ground of Rui Lopes Lobo, besides the Church of Our Lady of Grace Divor [...] these mines have two pipes separated into two very well-made arms [...] has three feet wide and six high, with its stone walls and lime, covered over large well-hewn stone [...] and as the water there is going to level, will the pipes in high land beneath it, sometimes 25 feet, and parts in 30 feet [...] these pipes [...] the right steps have luminarias to give clarity to those who visit the inside, taking away the stones the cover ... "

aqueduto agua prata.jpg

 

Sé de Évora (See / Evora Cathedral)

The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, better known as Cathedral of Évora, or simply Cathedral of Évora, although begun in 1186 and consecrated in 1204, this granite cathedral was completed only in 1250. It is a monument marked by the transition style Romanesque to the Gothic, marked by three majestic ships. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the cathedral received major improvements, dating from that time the high choir, the pulpit, the baptistery and the arch of the chapel of Our Lady of Mercy, also known as Chapel of the Spur, rare copy of plateresca hybrid architecture, dated 1529. from baroque altarpieces dating some golden details and other specific improvements in luxuries decorations. Even in the 18th century the cathedral was enriched with the construction of the new chapel, sponsored by King João V, where the exuberance of marbles was wisely combined with the austerity of the Romanesque-Gothic temple. In 1930, by request of the Archbishop of Évora, Pope Pius XI gave the Cathedral the title of Minor Basilica. In the following decades were carried out some restoration work, such as the demolition of Fitted vestiarias, 18th century, (which allowed to uncover the outer face and the cloister rosettes) and the apeamento some baroque altarpieces that misrepresent the medieval environment the aisles.

The facade of the cathedral is flanked by two towers, both the medieval period, and the tower on the south side of the cathedral bell tower, whose bells for centuries mark the passing hours of the city. Flanking the portal there are superb sculptures of Apostles 14th century Architectural stretch more emblematic of the exterior is the dome, cruise-lantern tower of the ships built in the reign of King Dinis, who is the former's landmark cathedral and one of the Popular parts of the city. In addition to the main entrance there are two more entries: the Puerta del Sol, facing south, with Gothic arches and the North Gate, rebuilt in the Baroque period.

The cathedral interior is distributed in large three ships (it is the largest Portuguese cathedral). In the central nave (the highest), is the Our Lady of Angel altar (also called the city Lady of O) in baroque carvings, with the Gothic images of the Virgin, in polychrome marble and the Angel Gabriel. Still, the central one may wonder if the pulpit (marble) and the magnificent pipe organ (both from the Renaissance period). In the transept opens up the ancient chapels of St. Lawrence and the Holy Christ (which communicates with the House of the Chapter) and the Chapels of the Relics and the Blessed Sacrament, both decorated with opulent gilded ornaments. In the left nave, near the entrance, opens the baptistery, enclosed by beautiful iron railings from the Renaissance period. In the north transept top is the beautiful Renaissance portal (attributed to Nicholas Chanterene) of the Chapel of Squires of the Spur (which it had grave).

Sé_Évora.JPG

 

Capela Mor (Presbytery)

The altar and chancel 18 century marble are JF Ludwig, best known for Ludwig, the architect of the Convent of Mafra. The building of this work was due to the need for space for the canons since the 18th century splendor of liturgical ceremonies required a greater number of clerics. Thus, the early Gothic chapel sacrificed himself (whose altarpiece painting can admire today in the Regional Museum of Évora). It combine white, green and pink marble (from Estremoz, Sintra and Carrara (Italy). One may also admire a beautiful Crucifix of Manuel Dias authored, called the Father of Christ, which on top painting of Our Lady of the Assumption (patron saint of the Cathedral), made in Rome by Agostino Masucci, as well as allegorical statues, busts of St. Peter and St. Paul and of an authorship of the pipe organ of the Italian master Pascoal Caetano Oldovini.

In the cloisters, of about 1325, there are statues of the Evangelists in each corner. The cloister, built by order of Bishop Peter, is a beautiful Gothic example, enriched with rosettes of various decorations. It is further ennobled by the funeral chapel of Bishop Peter (cloister founder), who’s gothic tomb still exists in the center of it. Recently been placed in the south wing of the cloister of the tombs of deceased archbishops of Évora in the 20th century.

The chorus is the result of the work done in the Manueline period. Has a valuable oak stalls, where they are carved mythological scenes, naturalists and rural, dated 1562.

The treasure houses of religious art pieces in the fields of vestments, painting, sculpture and jewelery. The most curious is a Virgin (Our Lady of Paradise) of the thirteenth century, ivory whose body opens to become a triptych with tiny carved scenes: her life in nine episodes. Among other pieces can be still admire the Cross-Reliquary of the Holy Cross (14th century), the Cardinal Henry Crosier (who was Archbishop of Évora and King of Portugal) and gallery of the Archbishops, where are portrayed all the prelates Évora from 1540 to the present. Both the treasure, as the gallery of the Archbishops part of the Museum of Sacred Art of the Cathedral, opened in 1983, during the celebration of the 8th centenary of the Cathedral. The Museum is installed, since May 22, 2009, the former College of Young Men the Cathedral Choir, building adjoining the cathedral, which after renovated, houses the collections of jewelry, vestments, paintings and sculptures, which make up the valuable treasure of the Cathedral.

Several major religious events are associated with this temple. It is said that here were blessed the flags of Vasco da Gama's fleet in 1497. The cruise is the tomb chapel of João Mendes de Vasconcelos, emissary of King Manuel the court of Charles V in Castile in the failed attempt to bring back the Portugal Ferdinand Magellan, who then prepared in Seville the first globe circumnavigation trip.

capela se evora.jpg

 

Igreja de São Francisco / Capela dos Ossos (St. Francis Church / Chapel of Bones)

The Church of San Francisco in Evora is a church of Gothic-Manueline architecture. Built between 1480 and 1510 by the masters of precious stones Martim Lourenço and Pero rail and decorated by the royal painters Francisco Henriques, Jorge Afonso, and Garcia Fernandes, is closely linked to the historical events that marked the maritime expansion period of Portugal. This is obvious in the symbols of the monumental nature of ogival dome: the cross of the Order of Christ and the emblems of the founding kings, John II and Manuel I.

According to tradition, this church was buried Gil Vicente in 1536.

According to tradition, the Convent of St. Francis of Évora have been the first home of the Franciscan Order in Portugal, having been founded in the 12th century According to the canons of the Rule of St. Francis, the early monastic church had three naves, with connecting chapels between itself. In this original building took place several important ceremonies such as marriage of D. Pedro I with D. Manuel Constance. This period left some traces, as evidenced by the trilobadas cracks that flank the main entrance. The church was remodeled in the late 15th century, having built the magnificent temple that exists today and that is one of the most impressive Portuguese churches. Respecting the original boundaries, the three ships were replaced by a single nave remaining, covered by bold Gothic-Manueline vault that reaches twenty-four meters high. The Convent of San Francisco then lived its golden moments, when the court of King Afonso V began to install the convent space during their stay in Evora. Thus, the church of San Francisco was elevated to the rank of Royal Chapel, hence the multiple royal emblems of John II and Manuel I. At that time, the monastery received the Golden Convent of title, such wealth that the Royal Family the decorated.

The splendor of these years (that somehow contradicted the Franciscan spirituality (of poverty and simplicity), was followed by a less glorious period, marked by the loss of independence (in 1580). In this period was built the curious Bones Chapel for that the community reflect the purpose of the ephemerality of human life. in the 18th century were built several gilded woodwork and marble (most of them subsidized by grantees of their chapels, where they had a private grave). in the 19th century a new crisis befall the Convent: the extinction of the religious orders in 1834. the entire monastic part was nationalized, having it installed the city Court, until about 1895, when, under severe ruin, if demolished virtually everywhere convent (bedrooms, part of the cloister, etc.). He saved up but the magnificent church because in 1840, there to transferred the seat of the parish of St. Peter.

Stand out in all the features of Gothic church-Manueline architecture, particularly the battlements and towers of the facades, the main portico and the magnificent dome of the ship.

 

Nave da igreja (Church nave)

In the vast nave of the church, open-ten side chapels, composed of gilded and polychrome carved (18th century) and stucco (19th century). Some are from the Convento da Graça church, from which they were saved from ruin. In the Baptistery is the font of the old church of St. Peter and a curious representation of Christ's Baptism in the Jordan, cork, from the former convent of Santa Monica.

Capela Mor (Presbytery)

The chancel altarpiece replaced a set of Renaissance painting (currently dispersed by Evora Museums and Ancient Art. The current altarpiece is the second half of the 18th century, marble, a work that contrasts with the manufactory environment of space. It is expose the great images of St. Francis and St. Dominic, as was the custom in the Franciscan churches. in chapel elevations are two beautiful Renaissance marbled windows, where the Royal Family attended the religious services (in the 16th century) and a large body of eighteenth-century tubes (Pascoal Caetano Oldovini). the stalls of the monks is decorated with representations of various Franciscan saints. the side altars still have several paintings from the Renaissance period.

 

Capela da Ordem Terceira (Chapel of the Third Order)

Particularly majestic is the Chapel of the artistic set of the venerable Third Order of St. Francis of Penance (consisting of lay people), it is harmoniously all the splendor of Baroque carving of the Johannine period with the tiles and representative screens Franciscan themes.

 

Capela de São Joãozinho (Chapel of St. Johnny)

Small Renaissance dependence of ribbed vault, once independent of the Franciscan temple, built on the north side of the transept. It was the early headquarters of the Holy House of Mercy of Evora and under its cover is the Annunciation angel sculpture in the 1st century marble.

 

Sala do Capítulo (Chapterhouse)

The destruction of the convent of saved up the old hall of the chapter, which in the nineteenth century was transformed into a chapel of Our Lord of the House of Bones (of great local devotion image representing the suffering of Christ on Calvary the way). The dressing room where the image is exposed is the model of the main chapel of the Cathedral of Évora, having been built by order of JF Ludwig, best known for Ludwig, the architect who designed in the 18th century.

 

A Capela dos Ossos (The Chapel of Bones)

The Chapel of Bones is one of the curiosities of this great monument, one of the symbols of the city of Évora. The chapel was built in the centuries 1 and 17, in place of the original dormitory of the brothers. Its construction started from the initiative of three Franciscan friars who wanted to provide a better reflection on the brevity of human life. The chapel consists of bones from the convent church of graves and other churches and cemeteries of the city. The walls of the chapel and the vaults are covered with thousands of human bones, which illustrate the idea of founding monks, expressed in the phrase on top the chapel porch: We bones that are here, for your hope.

The church is still rich in religious and Renaissance and Baroque painting statuary, as reflected in chapels and other dependencies that survived to this day.

 

Capela_dos_ossos.jpg

 

Templo Romano de Évora / Templo Diana (Roman Temple of Évora / Diana Temple)

The Roman Temple of Évora is located in the town of Evora, Portugal; is part of the historic city center, which was classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. The Roman Temple is a National Monument by IGESPAR. One of the most famous landmarks of the city, and a symbol of Roman presence in Portuguese territory.

Located in the parish of the Cathedral and St. Peter, at Largo Conde Vila Flor, is surrounded by the Cathedral of Évora, the Tribunal of the Inquisition, the Church and Convent Lóios the Évora Public Library and the Museum.

Although the Evora Roman temple is often called the Temple of Diana, it is known that the association with the Roman goddess of the hunt originated from a legend created in the 17th century, in fact, the temple was probably built in honor of the Emperor Augustus who was venerated as a god during and after his reign. The temple was built in the 1st century AD in the main square (forum) of Évora - then called Liberatias Iulia - and changed in centuries 2 and 3. Évora was invaded by Germanic peoples in the 5th century, and it was at this time that the temple was destroyed; today, its ruins are the only traces of the Roman Forum in the city.

The ruins of the temple were incorporated into a tower of Évora Castle during the Middle Ages. The base, columns and architraves continued embedded in the walls of the medieval building, 2 and the temple (turned into tower) was used as a 14th century butcher until 1836. This use of the structure of the temple helped preserve the remains of further destruction . Finally, after 1871, the medieval additions were removed, and the restoration work was coordinated by Italian architect Giuseppe Cinatti.

The original temple was probably similar to the Maison Carrée of Nîmes (France). The Temple of Évora is still with his full base (the podium), made of both regular format of granite blocks as irregular. The format of the base is rectangular and measures 15m x 25m x 3.5m altura.5 The south side of the base used to have a staircase, now in ruins.

The porch of the temple, which no longer exists, was originally a hexastilo. A total of fourteen granite columns still standing on the north side (back) of the base; many of the columns still have their capitals in Corinthian style supporting the architrave. The capitals and bases of the columns are made of white marble Estremoz, while the columns and architrave are made of granite. Recent excavations indicate that the temple was surrounded by a reflecting pool.

templo diana.jpg

 

Igreja da Misericórdia  (Church of Mercy)

The Church of Mercy is an important religious monument in the city of Évora, situated in the Misericordia Square, the Cathedral parish and St. Peter.

The foundation of the Holy House of Mercy Évora dates back to December 7, 1499, having been instituted by the King Manuel I, by his wife Queen Maria and his sister, the widow Queen Leonor. Having had the first seat in the Chapel of St. Johnny (attached to the Convent of San Francisco), came moved to this location in the reign of King John III. The first stone of the church was laid in 1554.

The church, with a single nave and sober proportions, presents a majestic set of baroque art of the 17th and 18th centuries, one of the most beautiful churches in the city of Évora. The side walls are lined with beautiful blue and white tile panels, topped by oil paintings, representing the spiritual Works of Mercy and materials, respectively. The back wall is completely filled with a remarkable altarpiece of gilt, surmounted by the representation, the oil, the Virgin of Mercy. The throne of solemn exposition of the Holy Book, on Holy Thursday, is hidden for the rest of the year by another screen, representing the Visitation of Our Lady to her cousin Elizabeth. On the right, the body of the church, gets up the gallery with the seats where they take place the Poll workers of the Brotherhood during solemn ceremonies.

 

Igreja-da-Misericordia-evora.jpg

 

Villa Romana de Nossa Senhora da Tourega  (Villa Romana of Our Lady of Tourega)

The Roman Villa Tourega Our Lady is a Roman villa, classified as a site of public interest since 2012.1 located in the Parishes Union of Our Lady of Tourega and Our Lady of Guadalupe (old parish of Our Lady of Tourega) in the county and district of Évora.

Was situated in a privileged territory of Ebora Liberalitas Julia (now Évora), next to the Roman road bound for Salacia (now Alcacer do Sal) and distally from just five kilometers from the Roman road to Pax Julia.

Was heritage of people of ruling class linked to the exploitation of the land between the 1st century and 4. Roughly speaking, the village was an estate of the period of Roman occupation of the Iberian peninsula, similar to current Alentejo hills, consisting of a set of housing for residence of the owners and their employees, and equipped with private baths given the importance that the Romans always gave the hygiene and health care.

At its maximum extent the village would occupy an area of about five hundred square meters, with double spa, for both sexes, with rooms and hot and cold baths tanks. Today there are three tanks baths, rectangular, mortar wall built by taking the widest 24.5 meters long and about 4.6 meters wide.

Had a very complex internal structure, as shown excavation carried out especially in spa area. Three phase construction were identified in this space.

About 12 km from the city of Évora, you can find this Roman villa from an existing dirt deviation in the link road to Alcáçovas near the riverside Valverde. You can also get there on foot or by bike through a pedestrian path with signposts from Valverde (Évora).

 

villa-romana-de-nossa tourega.jpg

 

Anta de São Brissos (Anta are Brissos)

The Anta are Brissos, built between the 4th and the 3rd millennium BC, is located in Escoural Santiago parish, in Montemor-o-Novo municipality.

The tapir is now transformed into a small chapel, dating from the 17th century, and is therefore also known as Anta of Our Lady of Deliverance or Anta-Chapel of Our Lady of Deliverance.

The tapir-chapel incorporates three of the original struts, as well as part of the original camera coverage. The opening facing the east was covered.

It is classified by IGESPAR. It is a National Monument desde1910.

 

Herdade da Serrinha (Serrinha of Homestead)

The Serrinha of Homestead is located in Serra do Monfurado that is entered as a site of Natura 2000 by the importance that has for the conservation of habitats and rare wildlife species. The Monfurado name (Monte Stuck) probably had its origin in the many there cavities, such as Escoural Cave that is located about 1 km. This area has a very rich fauna and flora that we want come and discover. We provide several paths in and out of the estate that can be covered on foot or by bicycle.

Trail of the Caves Escoural this trail has as starting point the Herdade da Serrinha and arrival Caves Escoural. Ideal for walk on a sunny spring day, or in a summer day with the possibility of going through the embers in the shadow of a cork oak. The Herdade da Serrinha has the possibility of booking for their visit to the caves (only by appointment).

Rail Serrinha this route is done by the tabs of the hills surrounding the Herdade da Serrinha. The predominant vegetation consists of the cork oak and holm oak. In the mountain points with higher altitude can enjoy landscapes of sight, since the water mirrors that surround the mountain range to Viana do Alentejo.

Rail White House this trail begins at Herdade da Serrinha, going through all the neighboring farms until you reach the village of White House. This route is easily accessible and can be done on foot or by bike. In addition to the already characteristic mounted Alentejo, rural landscapes deserve special mention.

herdade serrinha.jpg

 

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Boa Fé  (Church of Our Lady of Good Faith)

The Church of Our Lady of Good Faith was built in the early 16th century, having suffered subsequent amendments to the long 17th and 18th centuries.

Of rectangular shape, with façade facing north, this temple preserves the original construction the Manueline portal with a pointed arch framed by an arch curtain finished with pine cones and crowned by a cross of Santiago. Laterally, the columns that flank the portico are crowned by cogulhos.

The ship, with a rectangular plan and coverage in barrel vault, presents lined with panels of eighteenth-century tiles with Marian themes, the implementation of which is attributed to the Lisbon Workshop Bernardes. Flanking the main chapel, opened two side chapels dedicated to Dead Christ and Our Lady of the Rosary. The main chapel, also covered with tile panels with themes of life of the Virgin, submit to the center is a carved altarpiece whose throne is surmounted by a sixteenth-century polychrome sculpture of Our Lady of Good Faith (the Virgin and Child), an allusion the invocation of the temple. Attached to the church is the sacristy, divided into two premises, one of the original moth sixteenth year, with ribbed dome cover.

 

Menir dos Almendres  (Menhir Almendres)

The Menhir Almendres is located in the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, in the municipality of Évora, Évora District, Portugal.

Is a megalithic monument located on a hill 1.3 km north-east of Almendres Cromlech, presenting isolated this. Archaeologists believe that the two monuments are related.

 

menir almendres.jpg

 

Anta Grande do Zambujeiro de Valverde  (Anta Grande do Zambujeiro of Valverde)

Great Dolmen of The Zambujeiro is located about 500 meters from Valverde, in the beautiful county of Évora, in the vast Alentejo region.

This megalithic monument listed as a National Monument is one of the largest Antas Europe, as the biggest which are known throughout the Iberian Peninsula.

This is a region occupied by man since ancient times, existing even in the area several megalithic legacy of great importance.

The Anta Grande do Zambujeiro was discovered in 1965, and it was later carried out a study and research.

It would be used by Neolithic communities as a place of burial and tribute to their dead, probably also serving Shrine.

The set has 50 meters in diameter, comprising the polygonal chamber with 6 feet tall and a corridor about 12 meters long and 2 meters high and 1.5 meters wide, access to the outside.

The monument found himself covered by a gigantic Mound over 50 meters in diameter, and the excavation recovered an important estate of ritual objects of adornment, ceramic vessels, blades and arrowheads, among many others.

 

Gastronomy

ÉVORA

When it is said that the Alentejo cuisine revolves around bread, olive oil and herbs, even seems simple.

But knowing that does is ancestral. The recipes have been passed from generation to generation, and with them the secrets of the "hand" which raises the maximum power the exuberance of flavors

These pleasures can be such a perfect experience that justifies, by itself, several trips through the region. One is not enough. If you want to taste the fullness have to do as the Alentejo: eat and drink with the seasons.

Traditional cuisine is based on pork and lamb, olive oil, bread and herbs in the fields and streams that make rich and imaginative popular kitchen, and give life to the bread soup, the lamb soaked, the soup tion and game dishes. Beside this, the monastic tradition, and their desserts based on eggs, almonds and gila - thin bread, soaked, nun bellies.

In Évora, discover the thick bread, thin bread then, bacon-the-sky, soaked (Convent of Santa Clara), the heirs and queijadas

ensopado borrego.jpg

 (Ensopado de Borrego - Lamb stew)

 

Typical dishes

Soups:

Sopa de toucinho (Bacon soup)

Sopa de Caçao (Cation soup)

Sopa de baldroegas (Soups purslane)

Açorda the Alentejo

Gazpacho the Alentejo

Meat:

Ensopado de Borrego (Lamb stew)

Cabeça de Xara (Head xara)

Perdiz de Montemor (Partridge to Montemor)

Snacks:

Sarapatéis

Cacholeiras

Presuntos barrados a azeite  (Hams barred the oil)

Sargalheta de toucinho à moda de Évora  (Bacon Sargalheta stylish Évora)

Confectionery:

Encharcada do Convento de Santa Clara  (Soaked the Santa Clara Convent)

Trouxas-de-ovos  (Muggle-of-eggs)

Bolo de mel (Honey Cake)

Tibornas

Bread thin

Bolo Joana do Convento de Santa Clara  (Joan of Santa Clara Convent Cake)

Sericaia

Torreão Real de Évora  (Turret Real de Évora)

Queijadas de Évora  (Queijadas of Évora)

Toucinho da Madre Abadessa  (Bacon of the Mother Abbess) 

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

ÉVORA

Herdade da Fonte Coberta  (Homestead Source Covered)

Source Covered - Évora

7000-797 Évora

We strive for wine production, but also for livestock production

Wine production

One of the most important Wine Regions of Portugal, where the vineyard is currently the largest agricultural wealth of the region and where the production of fine wines is a reality, was born Herdade da Fonte Coberta.

Since the first wine-growing plantations, in 2003, there have been major investments in the vineyards (with complete and efficient drop irrigation equipment gout) and a modern winery equipped with the most advanced technology, built in harmony with the vineyard and all the surrounding area, have an area of 2600m2 distributed between the administrative area, laboratory, wine-making areas, bottling area and stage of the basement in the bottle and in oak barrels.

In 2006 was launched on the market the foremost wine produced in the Herdade da Covered Source: Monte Gold, the 2005 harvest.

The Herdade da Fonte located Covered, about, 5km south of the city of Évora, has a total area of 220 hectares, of which, currently planting of vines is approximately 170ha which is divided among various plots where they are planted several varieties, from which produces wine of excellent quality.

The average annual production forecast when in full production will be about 200,000 liters of white wine and 850,000 liters of red wine.

Exporting is one of the largest national economy development engines. Not being oblivious to this reality Herdade da Fonte Coberta has gathered efforts, investing in expanding the internationalization of its wines and is already possible to find the wines of Herdade da Fonte Covered in some European countries, Russia, China, Angola and Ivory Coast .

Since 2010 our wines Golden Acorn Selected Harvest Red, Herdade da Fonte Covered Red Book and the Source Book Cover White Estate have been distinguished in various competitions at national and international level. Among the various medals awarded highlight in 2013, the award of the wine Gold Medal "Golden Acorn Select Harvest 2011 Red" at the Concours Mondial de Bruxelles and the silver and bronze medals, respectively, to wines "Herdade da Source Book Cover 2008 Red "and" Herdade da Covered Source Book 2011 White "at the International Wine & Spirit Competition

 

herdade fonte coberta.jpg

 

Fundação Eugénio de Almeida - Adega Cartuxa  (Eugenio de Almeida Foundation - Cellar Charterhouse)

Road Soeira, 7000-769 Évora

  1. (+351) 266 748 383
  2. (+ 351) 266 700 024

The Eugenio de Almeida Foundation is a private institution of public utility, based in Évora. Your statutes have been drafted by the founder himself, Eng Vasco Maria Eugenio de Almeida, when it was created in 1963.

The institutional mission of the Foundation is delivered in the cultural and educational, social and health care fields, and for the development and spiritual elevation of Évora region.

Among its assets, donated by Institutor to be the economic foundation of mission development, we highlight a number of farmsteads in Évora municipality in which the Foundation develops the farming and industrial project.

Continuing the exploration of the vineyard, which from time immemorial is done in the region, Eugenio de Almeida Foundation is also heir to a long history in the wine sector, because since the late 19th century that the culture of the vine is part of the productive tradition of the House agricultural Eugenio de Almeida.

Environment / Landscape in which it operates:

Based on Thursday Valbom, 2 km from the historic center of Évora, World Heritage city, and 200 meters from the Carthusian convent that inspired its name, the Wine Tourism Charterhouse is located in the former refectory of the Jesuit retirement home, that teached at the University of Évora in the 16th and 17th centuries with their expulsion in 1759, by order of the Marquis of Pombal, the property now belongs to the state, starting a few years later, in 1776, to work as a major mill wine that absorbed the wine production in the region. Acquired in the 19th century by Eugenio de Almeida family, the Charterhouse Cellar has undergone several renovations and expansions over time, preserving the richness of its architectural and historical memory. The Cellar Charterhouse - Thursday Valbom is now one of the training centers of the wines produced by Eugenio de Almeida Foundation. The success of this wine project has enabled the Foundation to generate the resources needed to fulfill its mission, focused on the social, cultural and educational in the region.

Special features of the vineyard:

The vineyard area of Eugenio de Almeida Foundation extends over more than 300ha on the farms of Pines, Casito, Horta Poplar and Quinta de Valbom. The preference for consecrated Alentejanas castes, and recommended to the Denomination of Origin Controlled Alentejo, has been instrumental in the creation of the wines of FEA. Thus, in white wines are used mostly composed the Alentejo varieties Wardrobe, Antao Vaz and Arinto. The red wines are obtained from the Aragonez, Trincadeira and Ink Caiada.

 

adega cartuxa.jpg

 

LOGOWINES, SA (Casa Agricola Alexandre Relvas, Lda.)

Pepper Homestead - S. Miguel de Machede 7005 - 752 Évora

T + 351 214 858 764

  1. + 351 214 858 765

Established in 2007, the LOGOWINES aims production and grape wine, devoting himself so the operations of a cellar located in the pepper Estate, S. Miguel de Machede.

Acquired by Casa Agricola Alexandre Relvas, Lda. In 2011 to pepper the estate has 170 ha. The vineyard occupies 65 hectares of land, 10 of which in experimental field. The soils are mostly of granitic origin Clay Sandy with granite outcrops.

The Cellar LOGOWINES will have the capacity to produce, on cruise per year, about 2.5 million high-quality wine bottles, basing its operation in a truly business logic in relation to a profitable capacity utilization.

Location:

The LOGOWINES is located in San Miguel de Machede, 18Km from the city of Évora, in an exceptional tranquility and easy access environment.

Special Winery features:

The project's construction and equipment cellar integrates all the necessary components for a modern and efficient laboring in accordance with the highest standards of quality and enabling the application of oenological techniques to produce wines of excellence.

Regarding industrial innovation, the construction of the tanks was based on an innovative principle which consists in the superposition of fermentation and storage tanks. The tanks are double well, while at its top component have a ferment and lower the retention component.

 

logowines.jpg

 

Pêra Grave - Soc. Agrícola Unipessoal Lda  (Pear Record - Agricultural Soc Unipessoal Lda)

Fifth St. Joseph of Peramanca | EN 114 - 5 km Évora

Apartado 130 | 7006-802 Évora

  1. (+351) 266 785 045
  2. (+ 351) 266 785 045

Quinta de S. José de Peramanca is located in the heart of the famous region known at least since the sixth century. XIV, cited in inquiries Fernandinas as - "VINEYARDS AND Peramanca LAND".

According Tulio Espanca the artistic inventory of Portugal: "The Chapel of the Quinta de S. José de Peramanca was built in realengas land where for centuries had experienced with fruit made famous wine Peramanca, which is quoted in the sixteenth century chronicles and was exported largely, in the Portuguese fleets in demand from overseas lands. "

The crowning excellence, the wines produced in the region Peramanca gain in the late 19th century several medals in international competitions, including gold in Bordeaux.

The current wines produced in this Thursday, offer you the opportunity to return to enjoy the remarkable wines produced by the Peramanca riverside.

peraq grave.jpg

 

End of circuit

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 15:49

Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

Circuito do Alentejo capa eng.jpg

12 - ARRAIOLOS

Travel: Estremoz »Arraiolos: 41 kms

Travel time (expected): 60 minutes.

The Village

The foundation of Arraiolos to Sabine, Tusculanos and Alban, who were occupants of Évora before Sertorius and gave the government of Arraiolos to Rayeo captain, Greek name.

From this name seems to have then derived the name of our village, as the Rayeo name has been calling Rayolis, Rayeopolis, Arrayolos and today Arraiolos.

However, it is in 1217 with the granting of Arraiolos term by King Alfonso II, the Bishop of Évora D. Soeiro and to the chapter of the Cathedral of the same city, which begins a new chapter in our history.

In 1290, Arraiolos receives the 1st Foral, D. Dinis, and the same monarch orders the building the castle in 1305, and on 26 December 1305 the Council represented by João Anes and Martim Fernandes, accorded with the King the contract for its construction.

Arraiolos County was Nuno Alvares Pereira - 2nd Earl of Arraiolos - from the year 1387. Before taking the Carmo Convent in Lisbon, the kingdom Constable, remained here long periods of his life.

In 1511 gets new Register of D. Manuel.

Over the years there have been many changes in their territory, and administrative boundaries defined from 1736, suffered, however, several changes:

- Inclusion in the district of Evora (1835); Annexation of Vimieiro municipality (1855); Annexation of the municipality of Mora (1895); detaching the municipality of Mora (1898).

Situated in the south interior, the vast Alentejo region, Arraiolos is today a municipality with 684,08Km2, for a population of 7616 inhabitants (census 2001) spread over 7 parishes: Arraiolos Vimieiro, small church, St. Peter's Gafanhoeira, elderberry, S. Gregory and Santa Justa.

ARRAIOLOS LAND OF CARPETS is still the centuries of history of hand embroidery by generations of embroiderers who did come to the present day our most genuine handicraft the "Arraiolos Carpet".

The earliest written reference that today is known is in the inventory of Catarina Rodrigues, the wife of João Lourenço, farmer and resident in Bolelos Homestead, term of Arraiolos, where, by the year 1598, describes the existence of a tera carpet avalliado new mill, in two Kings.

One is still the archaeological excavations in the Lima Square and Brito at the beginning of the 21st Century, under the responsibility of the archaeologist Ana Gonçalves, without prejudice to a more detailed investigation, induce the start of production of carpets in Arraiolos to a previous phase to 15th century.

The county, along with the wealth of its landscape, holds a vast built heritage that the City Council has sought to preserve and enhance.

 

Castle Arraiolos

Arraiolos Castle, also known as Palace of Mayors, located in the village, parish and municipality of Arraiolos, in the district of Evora, Portugal. Stands out as one of the rare plant circular castles in the world.

Background

The early human occupation of the rocky hill known as Mount St. Peter, north of Arraiolos, is attested by some quartz firing pins and prehistoric copper ax, found during archaeological prospection in the castle fortress, currently in Évora Museum.

It is believed that the settlement has been formed itself around 300 BC

The fortification idea of this location dates back to the homestead called donation of Arraiolos made by Alfonso II (1211-1223) to D. Soeiro, Bishop of Évora, with permission for it to arise a castle (1217).

With the density of population, a new determination to raising a defense dates back to an agreement signed between King Dinis (1279-1325), the Mayor, the Judges and the Municipality of Arraiolos Village (1305), which stipulated the obligation to rise, around the village, "207 fathoms wall, three fathoms high and wide to fathom, and to do in said wall Dous portaes Darco with their doors, and Dous square cubellos in each door ".

These works were started in 1306, with a budget of 2,000 pounds granted by the monarch, and traces of authorship of John Simon. Thus, in 1310, the year in which the sovereign confirmed a charter, (...) the work was ready bricks and mortar and good defense, built a lot of conical shape, high on all neighbors and picturesquely crowned, at the apex, the ancient Church of the Savior Mother.

The castle began to suffer abandonment from the 14th century, because it is a windy place, cold, reputed as unpleasant to live. King Ferdinand (1367-1383) tried to remedy this situation by granting special privileges to its inhabitants (1371). These measures, however, proved useless, because not close the doors at night, depriving the sacraments residents out, managed to prevent the depopulation of fortification.

After the outcome of the 1383-1385 crisis, the areas of the town and its castle were donated to Constable D. Nuno Alvares Pereira (1387), awarded the title of Earl of Arraiolos. Between 1385 and 1390, here left several military expeditions against the Constable Castile.

16th century to the present day

At the end of the 16th century the castle was still inhabited, closing every night by the bell signal (1599). At that time a large number of new homes have spread to nearby slopes. In the early 17th century, however, was already naked, looking at their building materials were looted and harboring a corral on your Patio de Armas.

In 1613 the castle and its buildings were in an advanced state of disrepair, as complaints from officials of the City Council at the time.

At the time of the Restoration of Portugal's independence, under the reign of King John IV (1640-1656), the wall of the town and its castle received refurbishment works by strategic needs (1640). A few years later, in 1655, the castle returned to present ruin, with fallen Barbican, the Watchtower split and abandoned, and the Palace of Mayors uninhabitable.

A century later, the 1755 earthquake increased the damage you.

In the 19th century, its Patio de Armas served as a graveyard for cholera victims morbus in the region (1833).

In the early 20th century was a National Monument by Decree published on 23 June 1910. In the period from 1959 to 1963, the castle and the walls of Arraiolos, were partially restored by the Directorate General for National Buildings and Monuments (DGEMN ).

The set, made by the Mayors Hall of fortification and the surrounding walls, has square plan, with elements of Romanesque and Gothic style.

Built in the north section of the wall, the Palace of Mayors, of square plan, is dominated by the castle keep. This is internally divided into four floors, topped by adarve protected by merlons. Articulates the east side with the houses of the guard, towering at the door of the Plaza de Armas, and the west, with the palatial hotels.

The solid wall crenellated, broad and regular time describing an ellipsoid shape, is now well maintained. It formed part originally two doors:

  • The Village Gate (or the Barbican), the South, today reduced to a large opening in the wall; and
  • Port of Santarem, the Northwest, in Gothic style, flanked by two turrets or towers.

Still seems to have been a false door or hatch on the east side, where the wall has some ruin.

The Clock Tower, enriched with aspire to the time of King Manuel (1495-1521), seems to be one of the turrets of the old port Barbican, with the other supplied by the great keep.

It stands in the castle parade ground, the Church of the Savior.

A local tradition says that there is a secret underground passage connecting the castle in the Convent of Our Lady of the Assumption (Convent Lóios).

castelo Arraiolos1.jpg

 

 

Pelourinho de Arraiolos (Pillory Arraiolos)

Situated in Lima and Brito square. Consisting of a marble shaft, prismatic and spiraled after the ring. At the top has a capital which leaves four iron arms with rings.

 

Convento dos Lóios / Igreja Nossa Senhora da Assunçao (Lóios Convent / Church of Our Lady of the Assumption)

Construction of the 16th century and is characterized by the coexistence of architectural and decorative styles. In the church dominates the Manuel-Mudejar style and the convent is used the Baroque. Monument was founded by Saint Eloi order and is dedicated to Our Lady of the Assumption.

loios.jpg

 

Monument to the tapestry maker in Arraiolos

Built in Republic Square sculpture honors the main regional product Arraiolos: carpets. Known across the country, this tapestry is characterized by being embroidered with wool on a jute fabric, cotton or linen.

The Interpretive Center Arraiolos Carpet is a permanent museum space and to community service, whose mission is to promote the study and dissemination of Arraiolos carpet, as well as its conservation, protection, recovery and recognition as historical, artistic and ethnographic, both in its present tangible and intangible.

Museum institution of municipal protection, it is assumed as a center for the dissemination and study of areas of Ethnography, History and Ornamental Arts which aims to establish and promote relations with different audiences and communities, and the carpet of Arraiolos the starting point and arrival a trip by art and Portuguese feature crafts.

The Interpretive Center Arraiolos Carpet is the result of reflection in which it was intended to link the history, origins and influences of Arraiolos carpet, its artisanal production process, their techniques and materials, its actors and holders and present the developmental profile of Arraiolos carpet over the centuries. His artistic evolution, material and technique.

Reported to the territory and the social environment in which it operates, the Interpretation Centre of Arraiolos Carpet is assumed as an essential tool with regard to the preservation, enhancement and safeguarding of Arraiolos carpet and is a means of promotion and defense of a set of cultural objects for generations contributed to the construction and transmission of collective memory Arraiolense people.

 

Arraiolos-Tapestry-Monument-Terre-Midi-LED-IMG_788

 

GASTRONOMY

ARRAIOLOS

With its aromas and traditional flavors, accompanied by our wine varieties selected by the convent sweets, the cheese and the honey, Arraiolense and Alentejo cuisine is something which makes you want to know.

Assuming its socio-cultural and economic importance, gastronomy is an integral part of the tourism quality that Arraiolos wants to give.

The dishes of "Pig", of "Borrego", of "calf", the "Soups Alentejo", the "açordas" and "migas" highlight the diversity of our cuisine, linked to rural areas, preserved, with all its cultural importance, representing a contribution to developing and promoting the rich heritage of our county and enhance our capabilities in tourism.

 

pasteistoucinho.jpg

 (Pastéis toucinho de Arraiolos - Bacon crayons Arraiolos)

 

Typical dishes

Soups:

Açorda de bacalhjau com ovos (Cod with egg Açorda)

Poejada de bacalhau com ovo escalfado (Poejada cod with poached egg)

Sopa de tomates com enchidos e ovo escalfado (Tomato soup with sausages and poached egg)

Meat:

Migas de espargos (Creamed asparagus)

Migas de batatas (Potato Migas)

Migas de broa de milho com couve (Creamed corn bread with cabbage)

Migas de tomate com secretos (Tomato Migas with Secret)

Fish:

Migas de Bacalhau no tarro com gambas e ovo picadinho (Cod Migas in jar with prawns and chopped egg)

Confectionery:

Pastéis toucinho de Arraiolos (Bacon crayons Arraiolos)

 

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

ARRAIOLOS

Adega das Mouras de Arraiolos Lda (Cellar of Moorish Arraiolos Lda.)

Monte Mouras, St. Gregory

7040-419 SAINT GREGORY ARL

Wine production

The Cellar draft of the Moorish began in 2000 with the purchase of land by a businessman from Lisbon, Henrique Neves dos Santos.

The estate has a total of more than 300 hectares and is a large part under vines. The estate has a veritable sea of vines over 226ha. We have one of the three largest continuous vineyards of Europe, which was completed between 2004-2005. Older strains are 2002, the year he began planting the vineyard we have today. Between 2000 and 2002 tore up came to grape production table that already existed there and studied the specific terroir cellar of Moorish, in order to prepare the soil for planting wine and decide the varieties named.

The Rosary Colaco master, now deceased, was instrumental in the decisions. The Trincadeira, our Alentejaninha represents 45% of the vineyard, but we still have Aragonez, Cabernet Sauvignon, Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Tinta Caiada, Pinot Noir, Caiada Paint, Tempranillo and Alicante Bouschet as red varieties. As white varieties were chosen exclusively Portuguese 4: Verdelho, Perrum, Antao Vaz and Arinto.

 

adega moiura arraiolos.jpg

 

Herdade dos Coelheiros, Soc. Agrícola SA

Lot of Coelheiros | 7040-202 Igreijinha

  1. (+351) 266 470 000
  2. (+ 351) 266 470 008

The Herdade dos Coelheiros is a family owned, with about 800 ha, adherent to the Alentejo Wine Route, undertaking various activities and products derived from cultures of vineyards, olive groves, walnut orchard, mounted and the tourist hunting area, keeping all the Alentejo tradition features.

In perfect communion with nature, the Coelheiros Hill welcomes the visitor providing for a comfortable stay, the experience and knowledge of farming and hunting, tasting the wines of Tapada Coelheiros, Vineyard Tapada Coelheiros and White Almeida and regional gastronomy, guided tours, a picturesque universe and characteristic history of Évora region.

Classic estate of Alentejo: productions park (vineyards, olive groves, walnut orchard and mounted, ponds, dam and springs) and wild park in mounted with big game and black pig.

Traditional vineyards, conducted in bi-lateral cord, not watered.

White varieties and indigenous inks Alentejo (arinto, wardrobe, antão vaz, trincadeira, Aragonez, Alicante Bouschet and Castellan) and foreign (chardonnay, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, syrah and petit verdot)

Modern winery with traditional processes, according to the rigor of Quality Management and Food Security: ISO 9001 and ISO 22000

Stage cellars in oak barrels.

herdade dos coelheiros.jpg

 

to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 15:34

Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

Circuito do Alentejo capa eng.jpg

11 - ESTREMOZ

Travel: Vila Viçosa »Estremoz: 26 kms

Travel time (expected): 30 minutes.

The City

Estremoz is a Portuguese city in the district of Evora, Alentejo region, Alentejo Central sub-region, with 8662 inhabitants.

It is the seat of a municipality with 513.8 km ² and 14,318 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into nine parishes. The municipality is bordered to the north by the municipalities of Sousel and Frontier, northeast of Monforte, southeast by Borba, south by Redondo and west by Évora and Arraiolos.

It is internationally known for its white marble quarries, called Marble Estremoz. Operation of Estremoz marble has a very ancient origin, as evidenced by the Roman Temple of Évora, which contains marble originating in Estremoz. Is located on the main altar of the Cathedral of Évora.

The Estremoz was awarded the distinction of "Outstanding Villa" issued by the Kings of Portugal to many of their villages; was elevated to city status in 1926.

In 1336, Queen Isabel, then aged 65, went to Estremoz from the Franciscan convent in Coimbra where he was taken after the death of D. Dinis, her husband, in order to avoid a war between his son Afonso IV and the king of Castile Alfonso XI. Afonso IV declared war on Alfonso XI by the mistreatment inflicted this to his wife Maria (daughter of the Portuguese king). The Queen Isabel stood between the two estranged armies, and again avoided the war as had happened in 1323 at the Battle of Alvalade, between the troops of King Dinis and Afonso IV.

Estremoz was the king's death place D. Pedro I, in 1367, in the Franciscan convent.

In the 1383-1385 crisis, was one of the cities that revolted in Alentejo in favor of John of Aviz, shortly after the assassination of Count Andeiro in Lisbon. It was near Estremoz that occurred the first battle between the Portuguese and Spaniards at the time, the battle of Atoleiros wins for the first under the Nuno Alvares Pereira command.

In 1659, it was in Estremoz that the Portuguese army met the orders of D. António Luís de Meneses, Count of Cantanhede, to help Elvas, which was surrounded by a Spanish army, commanded by Don Luis de Haro. From there out to defeat the Spanish in the Battle of Elvas lines and caused huge casualties to their opponents.

In 1663 the Spanish army, commanded by King John of Austria and the Portuguese army, commanded by the Counts of Vila Flor and Schomberg clashed in the fields of Ameixial 5 km from Estremoz. The Spanish army had just won Évora. Consisted of 3,000 knights and 2,000 men on foot, and this is one of the most dangerous Spanish attacks during the War of Restoration. After the battle, the Spanish army withdrew to Badajoz.

In February 1821, Mouzinho da Silveira was in charge of Finance of the collection of diligence in Estremoz.

Estremoz also has the oldest brass band in the country in continuous activity, the Philharmonic Society Luzitana (Royal Philharmonic Luzitana).

 

Castelo de Evora-Monte (Castle Évora Monte)

Castle Évora Monte, also referred to as Evoramonte Castle, is located in the town of Evora Monte, Estremoz, Évora District, Alentejo, Portugal.

Erected in one of the highest points of the Ossa mountain range, in the village center, the top of its walls is dominated a large area around until the Estremoz Castle.

Background

It is believed that the early human occupation of this site dates back to prehistory.

The medieval castle.

At the time of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the town was conquered from the Moors by the Portuguese forces commanded by the legendary Geraldo Fearless, around 1160, at which time the castle it started.

Its defenses were recovered by determination of D. Afonso III (1248-1279), sovereign who granted him the first charter (1248), renovated in 1271. These attempts at settlement, however, does not appear to have been successful, since his successor, King Dinis (1279-1325), ordered the fortification of the village (1306), it has gotten around in and the doors.

With the rise of John, Master of Avis to the throne, the Castle of Évora Monte and his dominions passed into the possession of the Constable D. Nuno Alvares Pereira, but eventually integrating the areas of the House of Braganza.

In the early modern period, Manuel I of Portugal (1495-1521) granted Foral New to the village (1516), starting her new constructive stage. Getting the old castle donjon destroyed by the earthquake of 1531, the following year, under the direction of Captain-General, D. Theodosius of Bragança, is rebuilt as a palace of Italian Renaissance-inspired, with risk attributed to Diogo architects and Francisco de Arruda.

19th century to the present day

The town and its castle lost strategic importance over the centuries. Here was signed the Convention of Évora Monte (26 May 1834) closing the Liberal Wars. Finally, on 24 October 1855 its county was definitely extinct, and your old term shared by the neighboring municipalities of Estremoz, Évora, Arraiolos and Redondo.

The castle and around the town were considered as a National Monument by Decree published on 23 June 1910. The consolidation and restoration work began on the end of the 1930s continuing in 1940. New campaigns interventions followed one of 1971 to 1987, giving the monument its current appearance.

The castle, stone masonry and granite stonework has square plan, with circular towers at the corners, mixing elements of the Gothic style with the Renaissance style of Italian inspiration. Internally divided into three floors, with vaulted ceilings, based on stone pillars. In wider in turrets base than at the top, ripping visors. Cloths are adorned with Us carved in stone, typical of the Manueline style.

Castelo-de-Evoramonte.jpg

 

Capela de D. Fradique de Portugal (Chapel of D. Fradique de Portugal)

Situated within the Church of San Francisco and likely foundation of the late 15th century or early 16th century, the Chapel of D. Fradique de Portugal (Viceroy of Catalonia and Archbishop of Zaragoza), is a manufactory clearly funerary monument, according Gonçalo Lopes.

Capela_de_D._Fradique_(altar).jpg

 

Convento dos Congregados (Convent Congregados)

The Convent of Our Lady of Conception Congregados the Oratory of St. Philip Nery Estremoz had royal order of D. Pedro II (r 1675 -. 1706) to be built in 1697. Between 1698 and 1700 begin the works and in 1703 begins its second season, already begun with the church. In the middle of this century are seated the tile panels that are all over the convent. The church was never finished until 1961, the year he began to contract for the rest of the facade construction, completed in 1967. In 1974 they shut the dome of the main chapel. After a few years without work, the church, property of the City Council was transferred to St. Andrew Parish and this ushered in the full church in 1995, almost three centuries after it was started. The facade of the church, rare and erudite element, brought something new to the "monotony" of architecture Alentejo: the main elevation "undulating". Under Italian architectural aesthetics seventeenth connected to Francesco Borromini (n 1599 -.. 1667 m), this dynamic effect appears as opposed to classic Renaissance and Mannerist vein, more static and stable.

 

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Casa do Alcaide-Mor  (House of Alcaide-Mor)

  1. Sancho de Noronha orders to build this noble house to his private residence around 1450, valuing the medieval village with the most interesting facade of civil architecture in the upper part of Estremoz. This reveals a remarkable hybrid of uniqueness, showing various styles from Mudéjar (15th century and early 16th century, coexisting with the Gothic Final and the Manueline), the Renaissance, the Manueline or Neoclassical.

 

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Claustro do Convento das Maltezas (Convent of the cloister of Maltezas)

The Convent of St. John of Penance, best known for Convent of Maltezas, was the seat of cloistered nuns of the Order of Malta from the century. 16. Your Cloister is the largest of all the convents of the city and shows us the Manueline architecture. Each wing has ten arches, subdivided into four terraced arches and two simple, all sigladas by teachers who provided beds and fashioned stones that constitute them. The stems (central part of the columns) are supported on square bases, whose capitals are presented indifferently simple and plain or with naturalistic motifs. The corbels Dome in warhead, with typically Manueline motifs and anthropomorphic and zoomorphic motifs, are very curious and artistically interesting.

 

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Capela da Rainha Santa Isabel (Chapel of Queen Isabel)

The panels in tiles and oil paintings are representative of life and legendary imagery of Santa Isabel Queen, including the miracles attributed to him, which were the cause of his canonization in 1625 by Pope Urban VIII. The lush chorus built in white marble displays a Latin inscription, 1808, to thank the people of Estremoz to St. Elizabeth to have her protected from looting resulting from the Napoleonic wars.

 

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Conjunto Monumental da Alcáçova de Estremoz - Castelo (Monumental set the Alcazaba de Estremoz – Castle)

In the center of the medieval village comes to Keep, one of the best preserved of the country. With about 27 meters high, has square plan and is crowned with merlons in pyramidal shape. Typical of the Portuguese military architecture of the late 13th century and early 14th century, is what remains of the primitive fortress, along with the trecentista building of City Hall. On the second floor there is a beautiful octagonal room with columns and capitals of animalistic anthropomorphic reasons.

On the terrace are the so-called Three Crowns, representing, according to some authors, the three kingdoms which took place in the works of their deployment.

Pousada de Vila Viçosa, D. João IV

In the main face on the outside, the South depicts the arms of King Afonso III (r. 1245-1279) with two angels to protect them.

Currently occupied by the Pousada da Rainha Santa Isabel, the former Royal Palace was adapted medieval war warehouse in the reign of King John V (r. 1707-1750) in 1736, coming from Carlos Andreis technical assistance of works. It is one of the best examples of Baroque Joanine in Estremoz, with pentagonal plan and flanked by round towers. Of note: the trapezoidal courtyard with a central fountain with a fountain marble dolphins; the access staircase Arms room with two types of tile panels, one in blue and white stripes with baroque and naturalistic motifs, inspired by oriental tapestry, and other ashlars floral motifs, Johannine the mid 18th century; Arms Room, where there are still some gilt and polychrome doors with real shells.

In the old royal convent of the Chagas de Cristo (Christ’s Wounds)

The Pousada de Vila Viçosa, opened in 1996, is installed in the historical centre of this Alentejo city.

The Pousada is found in the old Convento Real das Chagas de Cristo (The Royal Convent of Stigmas of Christ) ordered built by D. Jaime, the forth Duke of Bragança in the sixteenth century.

  1. Jaime ordered the building of this religious house to serve as Pantheon for the Ladies of the House and to welcome his daughters from his second marriage who could not decently marry.

Through the years some legends became associated with the Pousada.

Ever since the mythical presence of the last mother superior, who still watches over by the convent, the attempt to build a direct passage to the Paço Ducal, which lies next to the Pousada.

It is believed that the frescoes of the building were written by Cecilia of the Holy Spirit, poet and painter, who worked in the convent until the date of her death in 1723.

Staying at the Pousada de Vila Viçosa is a trip to the furthest reaches of fantasies, we guarantee extraordinary experiences.

With its themed rooms, staying in this hotel is like sleeping in a museum, where for a moment we are actors in this imaginary world.

From the " Teacher's Room ", that was once a rite of passage of prosperity, the old drawing room, one of the only areas in the convent where men could be present, up to the Duchess’s suite.

Be sure to check the other rooms; spaces of comfort, harmony and modernity.

The Pousada de Vila Viçosa is a genuine lure for those who appreciate the best of Portuguese cuisine. 

The fine cuisine and convent recipes will mark the experience of any who choose to eat at the Pousada’s restaurant.

The D. Carlos Restaurant also offers the best wines of the region (Borba, Estremoz, Redondo, Reguengos and Évora).

In the bar ""Sabores da Terra"" (Flavours of the Earth) you will find the perfect place to snack and relax, enjoying all that the Alentejo cuisine and traditions have to offer.

 

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Torre de Menagem  (Watchtower)

In the center of the medieval village comes to Keep, one of the best preserved of the country. With about 27 meters high, has square plan and is crowned with merlons in pyramidal shape. Typical of the Portuguese military architecture of the late 13th century and early 14th century, is what remains of the primitive fortress, along with the trecentista building of City Hall. On the second floor there is a beautiful octagonal room with columns and capitals of animalistic anthropomorphic reasons.

 

Torres da Couraça (Towers of harness)

In Estremoz, the armor would be an integral part of the medieval wall, possibly coeval of the Keep. All walled structure that connected the towers to the fence was destroyed in the late 17th century.

 

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Ermida da Nossa Senhora dos Mártires (Chapel of Our Lady of Martyrs)

Our Lady of Martyrs is the few chapels of Estremoz Municipality with medieval features.

Artistically, there are several elements to report, with its typically Gothic apse the most recognized. However, inside, there are two important architectural monuments: the Manueline (patent on the arc shot that supports the choir, with pendants decoration balls and socks, with plaited columns, all marble) and the Rococo Home (blue tile panels on white background with episodes of Life of the Virgin and Christ).

 

Igreja S. Francisco (Church of San Francisco)

The interior has a rectangular plan, three naves and five spans. The Gothic verticality provides proof of its medieval foundation, and the decorative elements of this time are of naturalistic feature, zoomorphic and anthropomorphic. The Baroque period is the Tree of Jesse, the reign of King John IV (r. 1640-1656). Was paid by the Brotherhood of Our Lady of the Rosary in 1652. This rare altarpiece in gilt corresponds to one of three beautiful examples that still exist in Portugal.

 

Villa Romana de Santa Vitória do Ameixial

The Roman villa of Santa Vitória do Ameixial have been built in the context of Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula, being inserted in the province of Lusitania, whose capital was situated in Merida (Emerita Augusta).

The villa will have had a first occupation in the century. 1, as documented by the appearance of a Nero and ceramic chip dated this period. However, the most significant occupation in terms of material remains, it is the Lower-Empire (late 3rd century / early 4th century).

The area corresponding to the pars urban villa (plant owners) stretched along the entire elevation down to the West and lying largely under the settlement. This area consists of rooms and corridors paved the mosaic, arranged around a tank, the rock for rainwater harvesting. We also found areas of kitchen and food storage, as well as examples of tanks and a complex network of sanitation and water circulation

 

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Bacalhoa Vinhos de Portugal (Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal)

Founded in 1922 under the name Joan Smith & Sons, has come a long way, asserting itself as one of the most innovative wine producers in Portugal.

The activity of the company began as the production of wines with grapes from Palmela region. During the 80s, the Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal created a new dynamism, through a strong focus on the most modern techniques of viticulture and enology, creating new paradigms in the national panorama of the production of quality wines.

In 1998, José Berardo became the major shareholder and continued the mission of the company, including investing in planting new vineyards in the modernization of wineries and acquiring new properties as well as through partnership started with Lafitte Rothschild on Fifth do Carmo.

The company acquired the Quinta do Carmo and the Lafitte Rothschild Group got some actions Bacalhôa group Wines of Portugal.

In 2007 Bacalhôa became the largest shareholder in the Alliance, one of the most prestigious producers of high-quality sparkling wines, spirits such as table wines of Portugal.

Bacalhôa Portugal Wines has wineries in the most important regions of Portugal: Douro, Dao, Bairrada, Setúbal Peninsula (Azeitão), Lisbon and Alentejo.

The rich heritage of the company stands out from the Palace and Quinta da Bacalhôa - important national monument of the Renaissance - the Solar and Quinta dos Loridos, where Europe's largest Oriental Garden and the outstanding collection of tiles.

The project implemented in various estates under the theme "Art, Wine, Passion" aims to surprise the most demanding expectations. The vineyards to the wine, all the wine process is involved in various scenarios including tradition and modernity, with several art exhibitions, from painting to sculpture, never forgetting the magnificent natural works, as are ancient olive trees transplanted Alqueva.

With a total capacity of 20 million liters, 15,000 oak barrels and an area of vineyards in production of about 1000 hectares, Bacalhôa Portugal wines continues its commitment to innovation in the sector, with a view to creating wines that provide to all its unique experiences and surprising consumers with a high quality and consistency.

 

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Gastronomy

ESTREMOZ

The regional cuisine, created from a reduced variety of ingredients and simple process, found the wisdom of the people, is a treat for the senses.

Predominate meat pork and lamb, traditional soups spicy wheat bread with herbs (which grow naturally in the fields), sheep milk cheese and sausages.

The monastic tradition offers sweets made on the basis of egg yolks, almonds and gila.

Holder of a unique cultural heritage and a number of hotel units, accessible to different "bags", Estremoz attracts more and more visitors.

 

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 (Cozido de grao a alentejaa - Grain cooked to Alentejo)

 

Typical dishes

Soups:

Sopa de Caçao (Cation soup)

Sopa de hortela (Mint Soup)

Sopa da panela (Pot of soup)

Sopa de cebola (Onion soup)

Sopa de tomate (Tomato soup)

Sopa de espargo bravo (Asparagus soup brave)

Sopa de baldroegas (Purslane soup)

Açorda

Gazpacho

Sopa de batatas (Potato soup)

Fish:

Caçao de coentrada (Tion with coriander)

Poejada de bacalhau (Poejada cod)

Meat:

Ensopado de Borrego (Lamb stew)

Borrego assado no forno (Lamb roast)

Cozido de grao a alentejaa (Grain cooked to Alentejo)

Pézinhos de coentrada (Trotters with coriander)

Feijão branco com cabeça ou orelha de porco (White beans with pig's head or ear)

 

Burras assadas (baked Burras)

Cabeças de Borrego assadas (Roasted lamb heads)

Linguas estufadas (language steamed)

Cachola (nut)

Túbaros

Favas com Mouros (Broad beans with Moorish)

Game dishes:

Lebre estufada com Nabos (Hare stewed with turnips)

Guisado de javali (Boar stew)

Confectionery:

Sopa dourada (golden soup)

Pao de rala (Bread thin)

Encharcada (soaked)

Barrigas de freira ("Bellies of Nun")

"Toucinho da Madre Abadessa” (Bacon of the Mother Abbess)

Queijadas

Bolema 

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

ESTREMOZ

Bacalhoa Vinhos de Portugal, SA (Bacalhôa, Portugal Wines, SA)

Herdade das Carvalhas, 7100-040 Estremoz

  1. (+351) 268 337 320
  2. (+ 351) 268 337 321

Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal, founded in 1922, under the name Joan Smith & Sons, has come a long way, asserting itself as one of the most innovative wine producers in Portugal.

The activity of the company began as the production of wines with grapes from Palmela region. During the 80s, the Bacalhôa Wines of Portugal created a new dynamism, through a strong focus on the most modern techniques of viticulture and enology, creating new paradigms in the national panorama of the production of quality wines.

In 1998, José Berardo became the major shareholder and continued the mission of the company, including investing in planting new vineyards in the modernization of wineries and acquiring new properties as well as through partnership started with Lafitte Rothschild on Fifth do Carmo.

The company acquired the Quinta do Carmo and the Lafitte Rothschild Group got some actions Bacalhôa group Wines of Portugal.

In 2007 Bacalhôa became the largest shareholder in the Alliance, one of the most prestigious producers of high-quality sparkling wines, spirits such as table wines of Portugal.

Bacalhôa Portugal Wines has wineries in the most important regions of Portugal: Douro, Dao, Bairrada, Setúbal Peninsula (Azeitão), Lisbon and Alentejo.

The rich heritage of the company stands out from the Palace and Quinta da Bacalhôa - important national monument of the Renaissance - the Solar and Quinta dos Loridos, where Europe's largest Oriental Garden and the outstanding collection of tiles.

The project implemented in various estates under the theme "Art, Wine, Passion" aims to surprise the most demanding expectations. The vineyards to the wine, all the wine process is involved in various scenarios including tradition and modernity, with several art exhibitions, from painting to sculpture, never forgetting the magnificent natural works, as are ancient olive trees transplanted Alqueva.

With a total capacity of 20 million liters, 15,000 oak barrels and an area of vineyards in production of about 1000 hectares, Bacalhôa Portugal wines continues its commitment to innovation in the sector, with a view to creating wines that provide to all its unique experiences and surprising consumers with a high quality and consistency.

Adega do Monte Branco (Mont Blanc Cellar)

Apartado 21, 7100-145 Estremoz

  1. (+351) 268 098 077
  2. (+ 351) 268 098 078

Built in 2006, the Mont Blanc Winery is located in Estremoz and has capacity to produce 200,000 liters of wine.

 After 6 years of experience working in Quinta do Mouro with his Father, and you have finished their higher education, which also featured an accomplished stage in Sonoma County - California, in 2004 Luís Louro decides to push ahead with his personal project in wine production.

 This project, its mission, the production of wines in the Alentejo, mostly based on Portuguese grape varieties. This mission said the main pillars / values of the project: modernity, quality and price.

It is intended that these wines, produced from owned and leased vineyards grapes, are wines with a modern profile with an excellent quality / price ratio, which will meet the expectations of today's consumers, but at the same time have a distinct personality and character, as will the association to the site and the producer and thus make them so different from the competition.

Environment / Landscape:

The Mont Blanc Winery is located in Estremoz, Alentejo town where there is the highest concentration of wine producers with its own natural and climatic characteristics for the production of excellent Portuguese wines.

Special features of the vineyard:

The 25 came from the farm ha are planted in two soil types: granite and limestone.

The vines are conducted in bilateral cord and have a planting density of 3200 and 3700 trees per hectare.

The varieties used are: Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alicante Bouschet, Touriga Nacional, Merlot, Syrah in paint, and white Wardrobe, Arinto and Antão Vaz.

All wines in the cellar, are produced with grapes from only of owned and leased vineyards where Luís Louro assume technical responsibility for the entire process, from grape production to the production of wine.

 

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J. Portugal Ramos Vinhos, SA (J. Portugal Ramos, SA Wines)

Vila Santa | 7100-149 Estremo

(+351) 268 339 91 (+ 351) 268 339 918

For over 20 years the name João Portugal Ramos is linked to Portuguese wines, first as consultant winemaker known brands of wine and, since 1992, as bottler producer. The success and awards accumulated throughout his career earned him national and international recognition as a major contributor to the evolution of Portuguese wines in the last decade.

The Alentejo was the region chosen to produce their first wines. In 1990, João Portugal Ramos planted the first five hectares of vineyards in Estremoz, where he lives since 1988, starting his personal project. Extended its activity beyond the Alentejo since 1989, reaching the Ribatejo, the borders and the Douro.

At this time the vineyard area totals 500 hectares in Alentejo.

The winery building in Estremoz, Vila Santa, began in 1997 and was expanded in 2000.

Environment / Landscape in which it operates:

It's legendary calm with in Alentejo like to enjoy every moment of life, and so we opened the door of the Villa Santa in Estremoz, so you can taste the wines of João Portugal Ramos with time and tranquility necessary, the good way Alentejo.

The pretext is to know the work of one of the most prestigious producers in the country and, by the way, also discover up the reasons for his passion for the Alentejo.

 Special features of vineyard or winery:

This Winery placed Estremoz on the route of the great wines, welcoming travelers from around the world. A walk or a lunch with friends, customers or employees are an excellent excuse and offer the time and tranquility ideal for here taste their wines and local cuisine. With store, tasting room, meeting room and dining room, a cellar Vila Santa opens the doors for you to discover, taste and take home wines that are the perfect memory of this land.

 

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to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 15:15

Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

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10 - VIÇOSA VILLAGE

Travel: Reguengos Monsaraz »Vila Viçosa: 54 kms

Travel time (expected): 60 minutes.

The Village

Vila Viçosa is a Portuguese village, in the district of Evora, Alentejo region and Central Alentejo sub-region, with 5000 inhabitants.

It is the seat of a municipality with 194.62 km ² and 8319 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into 4 parishes. The municipality is bordered to the north and east by the city of Elvas, south by Alandroal, west by Redondo and northwest by Borba.

In Vila Viçosa remained the Dukes of Bragança for several centuries until the Proclamation of the Republic their properties and the magnificent Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa.

It is in Vila Viçosa which is the original image of Our Lady of Conception, patroness and queen of Portugal, at the National Shrine.

Vila Viçosa was occupied successively by the Romans and Muslims. It won for the kingdom of Portugal in 1217, during the reign of Alfonso II. In 1270 receives charter of King Afonso III, seeing his name changed Valley Viçoso to Vila Viçosa. The charter is quite identical to Monsaraz, Estremoz and Santarém, giving great advantages in Vila Viçosa. In the fourteenth century, D. Dinis erect Vila Viçosa Castle.

In Crisis of 1383-1385, the chief commander of the Order of Avis, Porcalho Vasco, betrayed and, siding with Castile, took possession of Vila Viçosa with two hundred and fifty men and their two hundred Spaniards, forcing the population to flee to Borba. A year and a few months later, in the stampede that followed the Battle of Aljubarrota, Porcalho Vasco and their host either left the village or the castle. Vila Viçosa in 1461 became part of the Duchy of Bragança. In 1500, James I of Braganza was invited to return to the court by King Manuel I, being returned to him the titles and the Duchy of land. In 1502 with the start of construction of the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa, Viçosa village became the seat of the Duchy of Bragança. In 1512, Vila Viçosa receives its charter by King Manuel I.

During the Philippine area, Vila Viçosa, was home to the largest ducal court of the Iberian Peninsula. In 1640 a group of conspirators convinced the then John II, Duke of Braganza to accept the throne of Portugal, becoming the December 1, 1640, John IV (1640-1656) initiating the dynasty of Bragança. From this date, Vila Viçosa, lost glow and became the royal residence of vacation. In 1646, John IV of Portugal offered the crown of Portugal to Our Lady of Conception as thanks for the good campaign of the War of Restoration, becoming Immaculate Conception, Queen and Patroness of Portugal. As of this date, no more King of Portugal wore the crown.

In 1755, Vila Viçosa was badly shaken by the earthquake of 1755. In the early 19th century, Vila Viçosa was looted during the Napoleonic wars.

With the proclamation of the Republic on 5 October 1910, Vila Viçosa fell into decay due to the objective of Republicans to erase all traces of the monarchy. However, in the 1930s, with the exploitation of marble (Marble Estremoz) and opening of Vila Viçosa Ducal Palace for tourism, Vila Viçosa began to change until the present day. Today, as with many Alentejo cities, its population is decreasing, whose principal factor is the emigration to other regions of Portugal or abroad.

 

Castelo de Vila Viçosa (Castle Vila Viçosa)

Vila Viçosa the center stands the towering medieval castle, ordered the construction of D. Dinis in the last decade of the 13th century.

In 1461, when Ferdinand I received the ducal chair, until the inauguration of the Ducal Palace, this national monument was the residence of Bragança.

The old medieval fortress retained its traces to the early 16th century when the Dukes D. James I and D. Theodosius I built following the Italian models of overseas markets, the tough scorer castle.

The restructuring of the castle at the time of the Restoration Wars, was due to the strategic position that the village had for Castile.

The square plan, with two turrets on opposing angles, the compact look and innovative defense mechanisms - mine galleries and fortified gunboats for crossfire - are unique features that make this castle one of the jewels of our military architecture.

Inside the fortress, the Solar Patroness of Portugal is mandatory stop and even at the adjoining cemetery lie the remains of the poet Calipolense Florbela Espanca.

Finally, inside the castle fortress visitors can discover the Museums of Hunting and Archaeology.

The climb the walls offers a wide view of the city limits of Vila Viçosa and a unique perspective on the real illustrated postcard with the Benedict Avenue of Jesus Caraga and the Republic Square, filled with green orange, toast outsiders.

 

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Museu da Arqueologia (Museum of Archaeology)

The ground floor of the citadel of the military fortress hosts, since 1999, a valuable core of archaeological pieces from different eras, presented chronologically and of which highlights a rich booty of Roman pieces found in the region, as well as some archaeological artefacts from the personal collection of King Louis I. During the visit does not miss the opportunity to enjoy a marble statue of the former Callipole.

 

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Palácio Ducal (Ducal Palace)

The Ducal Palace is one of the most emblematic monuments of Vila Viçosa. Its construction started in 1501 by King Jaime, fourth Duke of Bragança, but the works that earned him the greatness and characteristics that we know today continued up the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The 110 meters long of mannerist style facade, fully lined marble of the region, make this magnificent royal palace a unique example in the Portuguese civil architecture where estadiaram personalities of great national and international projection.

Permanent residence of the first family of the national nobility, the Ducal Palace now, with the rise in 1640 of the House of Braganza to the throne of Portugal, to be just one of the rooms around the kingdom. During the reigns of Louis D. and D. Carlos frequent visits to the Ducal Palace, are included watching up, throughout the 19th century, the rehabilitation works aimed to offer greater comfort to the royal family during the annual venatórias excursions.

The establishment of the Republic in 1910 led to the closure of the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa that, by the express will and testament by King Manuel II, reopens doors in the 40s of the 20th century, after the creation of the House of Bragança Foundation.

 

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Santuário de Nossa Sra. da Conceição (Shrine of Our Lady. Da Conceição)

The Vila Viçosa parish church stands on the site where the Constable Nuno Alvares Pereira, first owner of the village and today are Nuno de Santa Maria, had built the chapel of Santa Maria do Castelo.

The Solar Patroness of Portugal is located inside the walled about the castle and its facade features clean lines, resulting from subsequent renovations earthquake of 1755 and changes in the late 19th century.

The interior is divided into three naves, supported by strong Doric columns in marble of the region. The walls are covered with polychrome tiles, introduced by the Dukes D. Theodosius II and John II (future King John IV).

In the chancel venerates the image of Our Lady of Conception, protected by railings of white silver hinges and flanked by two sixteenth-century screens - from the Chagas Convent - depicting the Resurrection and the Apparition of Christ to the Virgin.

One of the side walls can be seen the Portuguese flag - embroidered silk banner with national weapons - which preserves the memory of the victory in the Battle of Montes Claros.

In 1646, John IV - King Restorer - dedicated to Our Lady of Conception the kingdom of Portugal, proclaiming the queen and the nation's patron saint. Since then, this is a place of great devotion dedicated to Marian devotion.

Every year on December 8, is celebrated here the feast of the Immaculate Conception and, across the country, arriving faithful and devotees to attend splendid celebrations in honor of Our Lady, patroness of Portugal.

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Museu do Mármore (Marble Museum)

Doors open since 2000, in the old station of the railways, the Marble Museum brings together in one place the fundamental and important aspects of mining and manufacturing.

From mining to processing of marble, through the presentation of objects and tools used, this small museum offers the visitor precious information about the past and the present of an activity dating back to Roman times, when they refer to the first traces of marble mining in our region.

On this trip to the world of stone discover the rich natural and geological heritage brand, for many years, the social, economic and industrial municipality of Vila Viçosa.

 

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Convento e Igreja dos Agostinhos (Convent and Church of the Augustinians)

In front of the Ducal Palace comes the Convent and Church of the Augustinians, whose construction began in 1267, during the reign of King Afonso III, under the invocation of Our Lady of Grace. Delivered to the Order of Hermits Shoes this was the first convent to be established in Vila Viçosa.

At the start of construction of the Ducal Palace (1501), the convent was restructured by King Jaime, fourth Duke of Bragança, and the façade was facing the Palace Square.

The church, of baroque style, became, from 1677, in the Pantheon of the memory of the Dukes of Bragança, welcoming inside the tomb of the first Duke of Bragança - Afonso, classified national monument since 1910.

 

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Gastronomy

VIÇOSA VILLAGE

Discover the Alentejo gastronomy is certainly a pleasure. Inspired by the Mediterranean trilogy - bread, olive oil and wine - combined with metallurgical iron and potter's wheel offset, communities that existed here associated herbs to other products of the earth and rooted your diet. Over time and with the changes affecting agriculture, also how to eat was transformed and arises cooking.

The heritage of scheduled revenue is indescribable. Within a few kilometers to the same recipe have several versions according to the local products. As an example, appears to us the bread soup. Although the base is olive oil, herbs and bread, its accompaniments vary according to season and areas. One can eat açordas with olives, with cod with grilled sardines, with hake with clams, with fried fish, and eggs, with figs, with grapes.

 

Filhós-Enroladas.jpg

 (Filhós - donuts)

Typical dishes

Soups:

Sopas de cação, de tomate, da panela, de batata, de beldroegas (Soups cation of tomato, pan, potato, purslane)

Gaspacho frio (Gazpacho cold)

Açorda quente com ovos (Hot Açorda with eggs)

Meat:

Migas alentejanas com entrecostno frito (Migas the Alentejo with fried spare ribs)

Ensopado de Borrego (Lamb stew)

Borrego assado (lamb roast)

Cozido a alentejano (Cooked to Alentejo)

Fish:

Bacalhau ou sardinhas assadas (Cod or grilled sardines)

Snacks:

Favada

Confectionery:

Tibornas

sericá

Queijadas

Nougats

Donut

Flounder

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

VIÇOSA VILLAGE

 

Roquevale SA

Mont Blanc

7170-110 ROUND

Producer of Alentejo Wine

Wine production

On September 9, 1983 was set up Roquevale, Agricultural Society of Herdade da Madeira Lda., Following the existence of an irregular, family company, working in Redondo municipality since 1970.

The Roquevale of farming was, for some years, diversified. Of note, in addition to the vineyard culture, cereal production and livestock (sheep).

In the late 80s, there was the option to abandon all other activities, and the last company to devote himself only to viticulture.

In 1989 a winery was built in the Mont Blanc.

Environment / landscape in which it operates:

Nestled at the foot of the Serra d'Ossa, the Roquevale is part of the wine region of Redondo, currently, one of the eight sub-regions of the Controlled Denomination of Origin (DOC) Alentejo. Despite having white wines of excellent quality, are still the red wine that make this area one of the most prestigious in Portugal.

Special features of the vineyard:

The two farms owned by the company are Mont Blanc, with granitic soils, mainly directed to the production of white grapes and the Wood Estate New Up, with red shale soils, dedicated to the production of grapes. The total vineyard area is around 185 hectares, 80% of grapes and the rest of white grape varieties.

In the cellar, and small investments, punctual and consecutive major expansion projects occurred in 1991/1992, in 1996/1997 and 2002/2003.

The Roquevale was well equipped with the structures essential to its activity, the level of production, quality control, bottling, storage, wine aging and environmental protection.

 

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Herdade da Madeira Velha Agro Alimentar Lda. (Homestead Old Wood Agro Food Lda.)

Rua São Pedro

7100-315 Évora HILL

Wine production

It silences the Alentejo landscape, the mysteries of their land and the commitment of its people is born a new wine project: the estate of the Old Wood, Agro Food, Lda (HMV)..

Heiress and make wine tradition and graced by the richness of the grapes that make the Alentejo a region of excellence, quality and accuracy, the company intends to give added value to the market. Make a pledge between tradition and innovation, with an exporting vocation, without losing sight of a reference position in the Portuguese market.

Located in the district of Évora, cradle of the roots of Alentejo since pre historic times, his ambition is to become a symbol of the Alentejo in the world.

The winery project HMV took shape in early 2010, but the source is located in 2001. In that year Rui Pedro Pinheiro acquired the property that today gives the company its name and began developing the agricultural and livestock activity by Sagupi , which still keeps. This company is a reference in the production of calves meat and pork Alentejo, which is to a large chain of food distribution and Spanish industry.

Sign in agri-food sector has always been a goal of the project and this was the HMV created. The opportunity came in 2010 with the purchase of three brands of wine existing and highly appreciated in English and Swiss markets: Canto X, Canto V and Zéfyro. These marks were descendants owned the Reynolds family, who came to Portugal in 1820 to develop the cork trade. They were also owners of Camões Hall, which is in the possession of the family for six generations.

The name of the estate is a reference to the poet Luís de Camões which, according to legend, lived on site, in 1548. When the project HMV also joined up the winemaker Louis Bourbon and the management of quality Sofia Nogueiro. In total, the partners hold more than 900 hectares of land

Herdade da Madeira Velha Agro Alimentar.jpg

 

to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 14:59

Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week

Circuito do Alentejo capa eng.jpg

 

Reguengos Monsaraz

Travel: Moura »Reguengos Monsaraz: 48 kms

Travel time (expected): 60 minutes.

The City

Reguengos de Monsaraz is a Portuguese city in the District of Évora, in the Alentejo region and Central Alentejo sub-region, with about 7200 inhabitants.

It is the seat of a municipality with 461.22 km ² and 10,828 inhabitants (2011), divided into five parishes. The municipality is limited to the northern city of Alandroal, east by Mourão, and southeast by Moura, and southwest by Portel, Évora and west by northwest at Redondo.

Became the seat of the county for the first time in 1838 (replacing the previous seat of the county in the village of Monsaraz) and definitely in 1851. It was elevated to the administrative category of village in 1840 and a city on December 9, 2004.

Reguengos de Monsaraz is second largest city in the district of Evora (largest city in the suburban area of Évora), constituting one of the four municipalities that make up the suburban area of Évora, which are Arraiolos, Montemor-o-Novo, Reguengos de Monsaraz and Viana Alentejo. The city is located just 25 minutes from Évora and offers network bus "Road Alentejo" who makes the journey Reguengos - Evora and Evora -Reguengos with some frequency.

Of all the municipalities that make up the district of Évora, Reguengos de Monsaraz stands out for the wide range in terms of rural tourism high quality (including housing Tourism), along the long side of Monsaraz on the Guadiana River and Albufeira Alqueva.

The city provides a wide nightlife, which figure in a few stores, free of crime and good environment.

In cultural and leisure terms has a movie theater / municipal auditorium, several bakeries and restaurants typical of the Alentejo region and even some traditional trade, public swimming pool, several football fields, fitness circuit, municipal arena, several squares with terraces, library municipal, Internet corner, free wireless in the main square. In terms of education, has four schools (kindergarten / kindergarten, primary school, primary school, secondary school), and a pole at the Open University.

Alqueva

The Alqueva dam is the seventh largest dam in Portugal (has 96 meters high), situated on the Guadiana river, within Alentejo, near the Spanish border. It is the largest artificial lake in Europe, with 250 km2. Its capacity, 4,150 m3, allows the conquest of the title of the largest Portuguese water tank.

The dam was constructed for the purpose of irrigation for the entire region names within and production of electrical energy in addition to other complementary activities. Several of the Global System infrastructures are already built and in many other advanced draft stage.

Today, Alqueva is becoming one of the tourist destinations of excellence where the relaxing week-ends have a prominent place. The tranquility, combined with the numerous activities and dissemination of traditional customs and local crafts are becoming the Alqueva a place of election.

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The first references to the need to create a water reserve in the Guadiana river, in the Alentejo, there are at least 100 years, although the project, while Venture Multi Purpose, 1957 date, at which the Irrigation Plan was created from Alentejo.

Identified water source in the Guadiana, International River shared with Spain, it was necessary to establish an agreement to regulate the use of water. It was then concluded the Portuguese-Spanish International Covenant that came assign Portugal hydraulic operation of the international section of the river between the confluences of the river Caia and the Cuncos riverside. This Agreement, signed in 1968, already included the construction of the Alqueva dam, a critical element of the Multi Purpose Alqueva Venture.

Between advances and retreats, is the history of the government's decision in 1975 to give effect to the Project and the start of work in Alqueva in 1976. Preliminary work lasted only two years, time to build the cofferdams of upstream and downstream; temporary diversion tunnel of the river, to allow work on his bed; access and support infrastructure.

The Enterprise then entered a phase of reviews and new studies with the Government decided to resume the project in 1993. It was then created the Installation Committee of the Alqueva Company that designed and launched the first international tenders for the resumption of the Enterprise. Two years later, in 1995, the Commission gave way to edia - Development Company and Alqueva Infrastructure, SA, which resumed work on Alqueva.

In May 1998 took place the first concreting and in January 2002 was completed the main body of the dam, allowing the start of the filling of the Alqueva reservoir on 08 February the same year. (cf. EDIA)

 

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Castelo de Reguengos (Castle Reguengos)

Down the primitive fortification, conquered by Geraldo Fearless in the mid-century. XII. This primitive fortification little survived the dionistina reform and all we can see is a classic example of military architecture of the principle of the century. XIV, having been extended immediately after the proclamation of John IV. The

The castle-fortress of Monsaraz (National Monument), built at the southern end of the village, maintains, although with slight changes Manueline, the Dionysian Afonsine-tert structure.

Built with the predominance of granite and regional shale, has a trapezoidal plan, with regular height wall, flanked, in the extreme, for four thick square towers and focusing, significantly, the Keep tower.

The work dates back to the reign of King Dinis. It was built in pentagonal plan and is divided into three floors: ground floor (former municipal dungeon until the reign of King John II and later armory), Noble House of commander's residence (currently space for the realization of small exhibitions) and the top floor for the palace collection.

 

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Antas 1 and 2 Olival Pego

Situated 14 Kms of Reguengos de Monsaraz, north of the road connecting this city Monsaraz, near the outhouse village, near the river of the Handle, were built, probably between 3500 and 3000 before our era two tapirs corridor, large.

Some mainstays of the camera and a jumble of fallen stones, let you easily identify the location of Anta Anta Grande do one or the handle Olive grove, a large dolmen corridor.

This Anta is formed by a polygonal Chamber, extended to the east by a long corridor and some monoliths still "in situ".

One of the mainstays of the House, intact, has more than 3 meters high.

In Anta 1 of the handle Olive grove, took place at least 134 burials, perhaps even 142, which is presumably the highest number known monuments of Reguengos.

The Anta 2 Olival da Pega, whose hat is resting on two supports, includes a camera and a corridor to the east.

The Anta 2 has not been fully excavated, but in Annex monument, the Tholos opSB, the team from the center of Archaeology at the University of Lisbon found human remains of more than 118 individuals, only for the first phase of use.

Recent archaeological work, together with The collected estate (134 schist plates and 200 ceramic vessels) revealed that this monument, more than a tapir, but a real funerary complex that includes, besides the dolmen, 4 attached burial areas.

 

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Menhir of Bulhôa

Located 4 kms north of Monsaraz, was classified as a National Monument to November 22, 1970.

The menhir of Bulhôa was identified in 1970. He stood down and fractured by Mason survey, its base with a diameter of 1,15x0,65m, the mutilation of signals caused by large wooden wedges. Judging by what remains, it is thought that this monument would never have had less time to 4 meters.

In order to reconstruct its original size, was cut a base, conjectural height in the region grandiorito.

Menhir of elliptical section granite, with about 4 meters high, engraved on both sides. The richest engravings face, is an album Megalithic symbolic art. In it are figured, among other symbols, a sun, a cane or walking stick curved, wavy or serpentine and zigzags.

It was rebuilt on September 29, 1970 and, shortly after, a National Monument (Decree 516/71, 22/11/70).

Location: 4 Km north of Monsaraz

 

Menir da Bulhôa.JPG

 

Cromeleque Xerez

After the reconstitution of this cromelech, were found in the vicinity, some 300 meters to the north, small standing stones of granite, all recorded in the database. It is the only monument transferred across the backwater area of Alqueva and was reinstalled in 2004.

Discovered by Mr. José Cruz and Eng. Leonel Franco, and identified in 1969 by Dr. José Pires Gonçalves, this set is not exactly a "Cromlech" in the geometric sense, which assumes an oval or circular arrangement.

Consists of 50 standing stones of granite, most fractured, some have a clear phallic morphology. Much of the menhirs found themselves prostrate, although some of them were "in situ", which contributed to that related these positions as strong contributions to reconstruct the monument.

In the center of the quadrilateral is a menhir with 4 meters high, 0.75 m in diameter and 7 tons of weight.

Note: Cromeleque Sherry was the only monument megalithic rated the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, transferred to another location across the region of influence of Alqueva.

 

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Castelo do Esporao (Castle Spur)

Castle Spur, also referred to as Tower of the Spur or Solar Spur Estate, located in the parish, town and municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz, Évora District, Portugal.

Considered as one of the most important towers built during the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern age, is in the old manor house on the homestead of Mendes de Vasconcelos, noble family on the rise in Court, linked to the House of Braganza in the second half of the 16th century .

 

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A Torre tardo-medieval (The late medieval tower)

The Esporão has its limits since 2 May 1267. The tower was erected by Morgado Álvaro Mendes de Vasconcelos, between the years 1457 and 1490, dates correspond to the time of possession of the squire and his death. Álvaro Mendes was home rider of the Duke of Bragança and governor of the city of Évora.

Is classified as a Public Interest Property by Decree published on July 18, 1957.

The recovery project

In 1973 Esporão was acquired by Joaquim Flag and José Alfredo Parreira Holtreman Roquette, which constituted on 27 September of that year, Finagra - Industrial and Agricultural Society, starting a successful wine project. Over the years, the company has made efforts with the government in order to rehabilitate the architectural heritage under their responsibility. With the authorization granted by IGESPAR, and fully assuming the project costs, Finagra proceeded to the restoration and rehabilitation of the monument, whose works have developed over four years, from 2000 to 2003.

In October 2004 purposes, Spur Tower reopened its doors with an archaeological exhibition.

The Tower of presents plant in a quad format with dimensions of 14.4 by 10.9 meters. These dimensions, wider than those practiced in the region at the time were to influence similar structures in the Alentejo.

Registered throughout the call Some of the Spur, over the centuries its initial design has changed significantly. The set consists of a fortified arched door, with a spiral staircase by which you access the defensive terrace and the Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies, which highlights the frescoes in the main chapel, also restored under the project recovery.

 

Olaria de S. Pedro do Corval (Pottery of S. Peter Corval)

  1. Pedro do Corval is considered the capital of the Iberian clay. With about 22 potteries and about three dozen artisans, São Pedro do Corval is a true school of traditional pottery. Keeping intact its craft and cultural roots for hundreds of years, is considered a real village craftsmen.

The potteries of St. Peter Corval date of its existence from the Arab period, around the year 1276. The pieces of pottery with its unique and characteristic patterns are a true mirror of rural life and tradition of St. Peter Corval. Parts of this area are imposed naturally by the beauty of its composition and its unique decorative effect.

It was the largest pottery center in the country that emerged Pottery Carrilho Lopes. The March 21, 1970, in St. Peter's Corval once called Aldeia do Mato, which belongs to the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz. Augustine Gens Cachaço Lopes is, sole proprietorships, pottery which is now managed by his son, Antonio Lopes Carrilho.

The potter family tradition is centuries old, dating from the time Cachaço Francisco Lopes, father of the founder and grandfather of current manager.

In 1997 the pottery was incorporated company under the name Pottery Carrilho Lopes, Lda., Getting António Carrilho Lopes and his wife, Catherine Lopes Carrilho, as managing partners. Over the years have been produced in the pottery magnificent pieces, and most of these works were sold all over the world.

 

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Esporão

In the 13th century was at the end of Monsaraz, a place called Spur Source, which was extreme with Portel term. John Peres Aboim, descendant of Egas Moniz and Butler-Mor of the Kingdom, the central figure Afonso III's time, and lord of Portel, had coveted this place and was able to buy it in 1264. Attaching the spur of the Source to other territories it had been donated by the municipalities of Monsaraz and Portel, John Aboim formed in 1267, the Defence of the Spur, one of the oldest properties in the south of Portugal.

Spur remained in the following centuries the descendant’s families, always belonging to powerful figures in the kingdom. Instituted Morgadio in 1427 the Defense of the Spur would be protected divisions or divestitures and is the main reason you have arrived intact in its limits to the present day. The spur had as one of its first Squires, Álvaro Mendes de Vasconcelos, Mem Rodrigues de Vasconcelos grandson, Master of the Order of Santiago and commander of the famous Ala Valentine in the Battle of Aljubarrota. The second half of the fifteenth century, the entire 16th century and the 17th century were the main periods in the history of the estate.

 Vasconcelos Mendes were the first line of figures in the Kingdom, gentlemen diplomats either in the Court of King John II, either in the D. Manuel, both in the John III and even throughout the Philippine Dynasty, and staged relevant episodes for national history. It is under the command of this family that are built today are those that property references of the Spur: the Tower, the shrine of Our Lady of Remedies, the entrance arch of the fence. But it is also with Vasconcelos Mendes which is provided with papal approval, the Chapel of the Spur in the Cathedral of Évora, whose arc 1529 is one of the first examples of renaissance in the city. His famous altarpiece of Flemish influence, created by the painter Pedro Nunes de Évora, already runs in the 17th century by testamentary disposition of Helena Noronha da Costa, wife of Morgado 6 of the Spur, Manuel de Vasconcelos, counselor of Philip III of Portugal.

The end of primogeniture would only occur in the 19th century, a result of the Liberal Revolution, and it is with the legislation Mouzinho da Silveira that all these links the Ancien Régime are abolished in practice in the second half of the century. Also, the homestead kept their limits, since without the protective bond, held by the Counts of Alcáçovas until it was acquired in 1973 by FINAGRA Company with the draft there to plant a large expanse of vineyards that would lead years later to spur the wines. We speak in short strokes of the rich history of this southern area after its creation as medieval defense, but the history of the territory goes far beyond that. Human occupation of the spur is present from prehistoric periods.

Were investigated some Neolithic sites such as the town of Spur Tower and we know of the existence of megalithic monuments, a dolmen of the spur that already in afonsino charter of Monsaraz 13th century strong and rich lands, these. Rich in history, heritage, life and poetry. We went back to the beginning, and always to John Peres Aboim, poet and troubadour. Its poetic and loving wanderings arrived in legends and poetry, inspiring today. That says Alandra, the Moorish princess who was enchanted by and to whom he dedicated beautiful love songs...

Wine and Olive Oil

Ranked among the most respected wines of Alentejo and Portugal, the wines of Esporão helped create and revolutionize the region adding, among many other details, labels designed by artists that are renewed every year, sponsoring both the Alentejo wine and Portuguese culture.

When the Spur project was created in 1973, the Alentejo was still a relatively unknown region that few associated with wine. Today the wines of Esporão are among the greatest of Portugal, visible not only in the exclusivity of the Spur Tower, the recognized quality of Spur Reserve and Private Selection, white and red, but also in personality and predicates of wines Monte Velho and Vine Defence, as well as versatility and consistency of Alandra wines, wines that are among the best quality relations / price of Portuguese wines

Services: Wine Tasting, visit the vineyards and winery, Shop, Dinner, Restaurant, Bar a Wine.

Contacts:

7200-999 Reguengos de Monsaraz,

Tel: +351266509280

Email: reservas@esporao.com - Web: http://www.esporao.com

 

herdade esporao3.jpg

 

Gastronomy

Reguengos de Monsaraz

 

The power does not differ from most of Alentejo municipalities, based on the wise use of excellent bread, aromatic herbs, olives, olive oil, goat cheese and sheep, the lamb, pig and all he can give, including ham and sausages. Then there are fish the river, hunting - rabbit, partridge, hare, wild boar.

Thus, we can refer to cod açorda, this ever present, migas with pork, or with asparagus, the shark soup, lamb stew, hare with beans, rabbit in wine and garlic, that is, a never end variants. Also abound candy, convent, with eggs, sugar, almonds and walnuts - Fresh eggs with almond, Sericaia - the sweet rice. As rural county that is, with the cultivation of vineyards and olive groves, there is the consequent production of olive oil, the quality of which has been determined and recorded, and wine. It is a municipality with ancestral traditions in wine production, which is of high quality. Several wineries, some renowned as the Esporão produce beautiful wine, highly regarded in the market.

 

Sericaia-SI-1.jpg

 (Sericáia)

 

Typical dishes

Soups:

Gazpacho

Sopa da panela (Pot of soup)

Meat:

Migas com carne frita (Migas with fried meat)

Secretos de porco preto (Black pork secret)

Ensopado de Borrego (Lamb stew)

Snacks:

Açorda de alho (Garlic bread soup)

Feijao azeite e vinagre (Bean oil and vinegar)

Salada de pimentos (Pepper salad)

Orelha de porco em coentrada (Pig ear with coriander)

Confectionery:

Doce de ovos com amendoas (Candy eggs with almonds)

Sericaia

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

Reguengos de Monsaraz

Azal – Azeites do Alentejo (Azal - Oils Alentejo SA)

Estrada Nacioal 254, Redondo

7170-107 ROUND

Olive oil producers

The Azal just seen their products just awarded at the beginning of its activity.

So in Biol, international competition in Italy, the most important in the world for organic olive oil, with more than 230 participating producers from around the world, Azal was the winner with an outstanding 1st place in the Prix Biolpack 2006 with your product azal earth.

This award is for the best packaging - design and more explicit and effective label - combined with the best quality.

This premium for there to be an important recognition of our work, also prides ourselves by seeing a Portuguese product to be distinguished worldwide, since although habitually Portuguese competitors had never been assigned to the national oil.

Also in Moura, in the National Olive Oil Competition held in Olivomoura, which included most producers from all over the country, Azal was the only company to be awarded two prizes:

Silver Medal awarded to Azal Memory and Bronze Medal for Azal DOP product in the category of Protected Designation of Origin Oils.

These distinctions are a good example of how Azal whether to distinguish, always driven by quality.

 

Adega Cooperativa de Borba CRL

Largo Gago Coutinho / Sacadura Cabral 25, Borba

7150-153 BORBA

EXCELLENCE OF OUR WINE IS A WORK LONG RESULTS, SE EXPRESSING WHAT THE QUALITY OF OUR PRODUCTS.

Wine and Olive Oil Production

Founded in 1955, Borba Cellar was the first of a series of wineries formed in Alentejo, with the encouragement of the then National Wine Board, at a time when the industry had no role who is now the regional economy. In fact, this was not decisive push given by that state body, so that allowed a commercial and manufacturing organization for Alentejo wines, the vineyard culture would have completely disappeared from the region because all the incentives of the time were facing culture cereals, and do Alentejo Country barn was a more than consolidated policy for the time.

After 3 decades of resistance, in which only the great value of regional varieties and the excellence of natural conditions enabled the production of wine in the Alentejo remained, finally came up to the eighties, where the full potential of the region for the production wine can be assessed and confirmed by the Consumer. That benefited the region of production is associated with large cellars, and thus faster if it fitted in technology than other regions of the country, giving the jump for bottled wine quality, at a time when the consumer has become more demanding and to focus on quality that the amount more. It is true that the constitution of the Alentejo demarcated region and the formation of associative technical structures that quickly issued new technologies with the grower were essential throughout the process.

 

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Camim – Cooperativa Agricola de Reguengos Monsaraz CRL (Carmine - Agricultural Cooperative of Reguengos de Monsaraz CRL)

Rua S. Tiago, 31

7200-175 MONSARAZ

Wine production

CARMINE - Agricultural Cooperative of Reguengos de Monsaraz - was established in 1971 by a group of 60 farmers. Thirty-nine years later, the quality of wines CARMIM has become synonymous with excellence. The company leads the domestic market in the segment of quality wines.

CARMIM currently has about nine hundred members and produces 24 wine references: from whites to reds, young and reserves, through the liqueur, sparkling rosé or. CARMIM also produces brandy and olive oils of recognized quality.

The wines of CARMIM were already awarded more than two hundred and fifty prizes in several national and international competitions.

The quality of the raw material, derived from a designation of origin region, is one of the benefits of this Cooperative; the pair of human capital and an agro-industrial complex of 80,000m2 equipped with the latest technology. There is a reception capacity of one million two hundred thousand kilos of grapes per day, bottling fifteen thousand bottles per hour and store up to thirty-two million liters, which makes the CARMIM the largest winery in the Alentejo and one of the country's largest !

We hope you have the opportunity to visit us to prove the quantitative and qualitative dimension of our Company, see all the wine production process and sampled with our wines!

Come taste the noblest of drinks, one of its most noble houses.

 

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Esporao (Spur)

Esporão Apt.31 | 7200-999 Reguengos de Monsaraz

  1. (+351) 266 509 280
  2. (+ 351) 266 519 753

Founded in 1973 by José Roquette and Joaquim Flag, the spur is one of the most important wine companies in Portugal.

Determinant in national and international affirmation of the Alentejo, the spur is also now an ambassador of the Portuguese culture, developing its activity within the limits of sustainability and building close relationships with customers and consumers worldwide.

Spur is present in the Alentejo region, which produces such iconic wines like Spur Reserve and Monte Velho, as well as extra virgin olive oil. Integrated in the cellars, is the wine tourism of Esporão. Following on the spur of the project is the Quinta dos Murças, property in the Douro region, where they are produced terroir wines with Spur warranty seal.

The spur markets its products in all kinds of shops and restaurants in more than 50 countries worldwide.

The holistic approach in adapting to a wide range of innovative sustainable practices of the Spur has led to several national and international awards, which highlights the prestigious "Sustainability of the year award" in "The Drinks Business Green Awards 2013". The spur was also awarded the prize in the "Green Project Awards 2013" for sustainable farming practices and got honorable mention for water-saving projects, energy and waste.

In 2014, the Spur won the "European Business Awards for the Environment" in the category "Products and Services".

 

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Granadeiro Vinhos (Grenadier Wines)

Monte Perdigões - Apartado 147 - 7200-999 Reguengos de Monsaraz

  1. (+351) 266 503 101
  2. (+ 351) 266 501 499

In view of Reguengos de Monsaraz, is Mount Perdigões.

Held by the Grenadier family since 2001, Mount Perdigões was in Gois Damian house times and generations later the illustrious composer Luis de Freitas Branco, musician here he wrote some of his most outstanding works. Always a place marked by artistic sensibility and free thinking.

In its modern winery in that prevail noble materials such as marble Alentejo and French oak are vinified and bottled the Grenadier wines under the strict control of a dedicated team led by winemaker Pedro Baptista and inspired by the author's vision of Henry Grenadier.

With a long and recognized career in the public and private sector, Henrique Grenadier created long ties to the wine environment, particularly through the functions it performs in front of Eugenio de Almeida Foundation.

Since 2001, launched its own project and faithful to that old passion: creating wines. Passion that now bears its maximum expression in the heart of the region where he was born, with the creation of author wines which gives your knowledge and your name

granadeiro.jpg

 

to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

 

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 14:37

EN - Moura -Tour Alentejo 7 - Travel Tips

por Turiventos, em 09.01.15
Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

Circuito do Alentejo capa eng.jpg

 

6 - Moura

Travel: Serpa »Moura: 32 kms

Travel time (expected): 45 minutes.

The City

The left bank of the Guadiana, built in the Roman period in Western Betic and always under the political influence of Seville, played throughout the Middle Ages and then to the War of Restoration, a role fairly important in foreign policy of Portugal.

In Santo Aleixo area are detectable traces that show a prehistoric occupation, especially in Herdade da Negrita, where an important set megalithic. This human settlement in the municipality, since times as indented, is justified in the richness of ore zone, close to important rivers and the existence of important growing areas.

The Moura Castle based on a settlement of the Iron Age proven political and economic importance, contemporary Castro of Azougada, the Mice and the Alamo, where in 1930 was made an important finding of five pieces in gold, now kept in the National Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

The time of the Roman domination (3rd century BC - AD 5) was of great importance in Moura: numerous Villae (large farms) and Romanized forts are marked throughout the County. The Aras and cupae - - some of which preserved in the Municipal Museum and the epigraphic funerary monuments abound.

The Arabs (centuries. 8-13) came to us a tower of mud the Almohad time in Moura Castle, ceramics and tombstones epigraphed.

The castle was rebuilt in the 14th century, at a time that increments the occupation of extramural space, with the expansion of the suburbs Vila.

In 1554 received the title of "Outstanding Moura village", constituting a major population center of the south of the country, with about 900 homes and approximately 3,000 inhabitants.

The Wars of the Restoration led to a strengthening of the defensive structure, with the construction of a new line of walls. These fortifications have been almost totally ruin in 1707, after the occupation of the village by the Duke of Osuna, Spanish General that sent raze.

Moura was elevated to city status in 1988.

 

Castelo de Moura (Castle Moura)

It is believed that the early human occupation of this site dates back to a fort from the Iron Age, successively occupied by the Romans, Visigoths and the Muslims, when reached regional expression as the capital of Al-Manijah province, as the various archaeological evidence currently collected the Municipal Museum of Moura. The construction of the Muslim fortification in mud, will date from the mid-eleventh century to the early 12th century, which came in a few remains such as the call Tower of Salúquia.

The medieval castle

At the time of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian peninsula, the village was first conquered in 1166 by the brothers Pedro and Álvaro Rodrigues and almost lost then. It was also in 1166, conquered by Geraldo Fearless, and after that, until the reign of King Dinis, been lost and recaptured four more times.

Received a charter granted by King Afonso Henriques (1112-1185) in 1171. The village charter was confirmed in 1217 by King Alfonso II (1211-1223). The definitive Christian rule in the region, however, would only be reached from 1232.

Under the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325), the village received new a charter (December 9, 1295, a privilege extended to the Moorish community in 1296 and renovated in 1315), proceeding to the reconstruction of the castle, Taking advantage if the old Muslim walls. To this end the Order of Avis made a donation of one third of the incomes of the churches of Moura and Serpa to "remake and food of Alcaceres of said castles" (1320). To complement the work undertaken in the castles of Moura and Serpa, was built in this period a line of watchtowers covering the streak, which survives the Watchtower of Magra Head.

In the second half of the 14th century, under the reign of Ferdinand (1367-1383), began second surrounding walls, involving the new limits of the village, increased. When he passed away, opening the 1383-1385 crisis, the town and its castle sided by Beatrice and John I of Castile until the time of the battle of Aljubarrota.

Under the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), the town and its castle are figured by Duarte de Armas (Book of Fortresses, c. 1509), highlighting the Watchtower surrounded by turreted wall, where ripping the gate pointed arch, framed by alfiz and heraldry. In 1512, the sovereign granted the Foral New to the village. By this time of modernization works would be initiated their defenses at risk of Francisco de Arruda. Later, even in this period would be initiated by Angela D. de Moura, in 1562, the female convent of Santo Domingo, inside the fence, on the foundations of the old mosque.

War of the Restoration to the present day

In the context of the War of Restoration of Portugal's independence, the Council of War John IV (1640-1656), determined the modernization and strengthening of ancient fortification, given its strategic position on the border with Spain. Thus, with design in charge of Nicholas of Langres a bastion line was built, surrounding the village, enhanced by ravelins. It is also this period, called the building of barracks, originally a set of barracks built by the Lord Jesus Chapel of the barracks at one end.

Occupied during the Spanish War of Succession, blew themselves up the walls of Moura (damaging part of the Tower of Salúquia), following the withdrawal of the Spanish forces under the Duke of command Osuna (1707). In this century suffered further damage by the earthquake of 1755 account.

Unmanned since 1805, between 1809 and 1826 the old castle mud walls were used as raw material for the manufacture of saltpeter. Later, in 1850, Jose Pepper Pants made demolish the West section of the wall of the fortress, to make room for the mill of Vista Alegre.

Castle Moura, including the ruins of the convent of the Dominican nuns and attaches Church are classified as Property of Public Interest by Decree published on 27 March 1944. At the end of the 1950s began the intervention of the government, by National Buildings and Monuments Directorate General (DGEMN), extending the next two decades. In 1981 were preceded archaeological surveys within the perimeter of the set, having carried out repair work and recovery in 1982 and between 1985 and 1986. More recently, in 2002, were preceded landscape recovery work of the castle surroundings.

It is recommended to visit the Arab Museum, built around the old well which supplied the castle.

 

castewlo moura.jpg

 

Convento de S. Francisco (St. Francis Convent)

This convent was founded in 1547, when it had many contributions, especially of King John III. This monarch had a special affection for the Franciscan Order, so endowed the Algarve convents that sent build at your expense. John III donated to the Franciscans a grove in Moura with a cottage, to be installed around the St. Francis Convent.

Although the date of construction dates back to 1547, the work was long and was only completed in 1693, when it finished building the churchyard and the church door.

There were several contributions to the construction of this building, but among them stands out the Isabel de Moura, who founded the construction of the chapel.

The cloister was built by the will of the Father, Brother Martin of St. Anthony, the family of the scallops.

Luis Pereira de Sequeira was responsible, in the 17th century by the construction of the church dome and states that, with lack of materials, stones and other materials, which were destined to this building were recovered in the fortification of the square, with part of church was covered with a vain tile haul and the remainder being discovered.

With the extinction of the religious orders, some parts of the convent were scrapped or reused. Such was the case of the football field entrance gate Maria Victoria, which boasts stone belonging to this building. Worth admiring for its magnificence is the side chapel of Vieira, one of the most beautiful in the district of Beja, built Cupped and dedicated to "Mariae Virginis Asumptio Beatae".

 

Igreja_e_Convento_de_Sao_Francisco_(1).JPG

 

Núcleo Arabe (Arab Center)

Moura even after being reconquered definitively in the year 1232 continues to have a significant Muslim presence, this presence is reflected both in the presence of the Moorish quarter (district of considerable dimensions) or the actual documents to it for the reign of King Dinis . Designed by our first kings as housing for the Moors liners longer has the functions for which it was conceived in 1496 when the unconverted Moors were forced to leave Portugal.

Reopened to the public in 1999 and located in the heart of the Mouraria district, the Arab Center displays "in situ" an Arab well, the 14th century, apart from a few pieces of pottery and khandis. Many Arab traces join these, such as the hand of Fatima (an amulet in bone), Islamic arqueta, and several inscriptions of which the most relevant is the one that is still embedded in the castle fountain, which certifies that construction of the mosque minaret.

 

Arab Center

1st Street Moorish quarter, 11

7860-101 Moura

 

nucleo arabe.jpg

 

Museu do Azeite (Olive Oil Museum)

Located in an area of indisputable value olive, olive oil de Moura has always ranked among the World's best, as evidenced by the Moura Annals: "For a long time, that the quality of Moura oil puts together the best of Portugal, because we see that Flanders, Germany, Castile, Leon, Galicia, if victual oil of Santarém, Lisbon, Abrantes, Moura, Elvas and Coimbra. "It is so renowned for the quality of olive oil Moura part of the collective imagination the famous expression: "Thin as the oil Moura!"

Olive Oil Production reached a size such that, in the 30s there were 26 mills operating in Moura and even a "Street of the mills." Therefore, olive activity had an important economic role within the mourense community as an important means of livelihood, while oil production experienced a more artisanal production and needed many arms so that a mill was able to work (later with the vulgarization of steam engines in the Portuguese mills, the production system is mechanized and decreased employment opportunities in a mill).

Holding the rank of "Public Interest", the Lagar de Varas do Fojo, as it is called, evolves the Roman system of olive oil and met one production active period of exactly one century (1841-1941). This mill is the faithful witness of the olive oil production without the use of machines, keeping all the tradition, in which the driving force was the animal power.

This is a community type of mill, working will make up on, which means that anyone with olive could bring her to this mill and turn it. (Leaving in return a portion of the oil produced on the milling owner).

In this mill can identify three distinct areas: the area of the bins where the olive was deposited, the grinding room where the olive was transformed into a folder, and the area of the poles where the olive mass was pressed.

The Lagar de Varas do Fojo, now a museum and open to the public, remains all the original machinery of this building, and has a set of information that allow a deeper knowledge about not only the operation of the mill, as everyday the lagareiro and history of the oil. Its authenticity and its condition causes the Fojo sticks Lagar is a rare example in the Iberian Peninsula.

 

museu azeite.jpg

 

Gastronomy

Moura

 

The pace of life, still marked by the agricultural seasons, is as old as the county itself.

The four seasons still know a sequence with few changes.

Not lost, so the art of making fine cheeses, confectionery, sausages, wines and olive oils that are a source of pride for the municipality of Moura.

 

migas.JPG

 (Migas alentejanas com entrecosto - migas with ribs)

 

Typical dishes 

Soups:

Crème de Feijao com ervilhas (Bean cream with peas)

Sopa de Tomate (Tomato soup)

Caldo Verde

Soupa de baldroegas (Soup Purslane)

Gazpacho

Meat:

Pork the Alentejo

Feijoada

Entrecosto Malandro (ribs rascal)

Fish:

Caldeirada (fish stew)

Arroz de bacalhau (Cod rice)

Pargo assado (Pargo roast)

Açorda com bacalhau e ameijoas (Açorda with Cod and Clams)

Snacks:

Ervilhas com ovos e paio (Peas with eggs and Palo)

Orelha de porco em coentrada (Pig ear with coriander)

Espargos com ovos (Asparagus with eggs)

Confectionery:

Manjar (custard)

Arroz doce (rice pudding)

Molotof

Bolo de Mel (Honey Cake)

Bolo Podre (Rotten cake)

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

Moura

Casa Agrícola Santos Jorge SA (Agricultural Casa Santos Jorge SA)

Republic Street, Moura

7860 Moura

Wines

In the heart of the sunniest region of Portugal - Alentejo - is the Agricultural Casa Santos Jorge SA. The rolling hills and valleys surrounding the fascinating city of Moura, offer excellent conditions for producing some of the best red and white wines of Portugal.

The Herdade dos Machados, for those coming from Moura, located towards Sobral d'Adiça / Spain and distance to 6 km of the city. The vineyard consists of approximately 60 acres and about 95% of wines produced are DOC, obtained from Selected Varieties.

Major white grapes: Antao Vaz, Wardrobe, Chardonnay, Arinto and Perrum.

Main grape varieties: Aragonez, Trincadeira, Alfrocheiro, Castelao and Cabernet Sauvignon.

 

casa agricola sato jorge.jpg

 

Cooperativa Agrícola de Moura e Barrancos (Agricultural Cooperative de Moura and Barrancos)

Rua Forças Armadas 9, Moura

7860-034 Moura

Moura-oil producers and packers

Moura PDO olive oil

The virgin olive oil produced, packaged and marketed by Cooperativa Agrícola de Moura and Barrancos, come from the olive productions of his co-workers.

 The extraction process is exclusively mechanical and cold and contains no operations other than washing, milling, the beat, centrifugation or filtration.

 Are excluded altogether, the chemical processes of refining defective oil, or a mixture of virgin olive oils and refined olive oil, which goes by the trade name "olive oil".

Therefore, the nomenclature appearing on the labels of oils distributed by Cooperativa Agrícola de Moura and Barrancos is always followed by the qualification "virgin", which gives it the quality of being a 100% natural.

 Presents itself even with the names "extra virgin", to qualify the selection of the best lots of virgin olive oils, that is, those who have better organoleptic attributes and lower acidity.

casa agricxola moura.jpg

 

to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 14:23

EN - Serpa - Tour Alentejo 6 - Travel Tips

por Turiventos, em 09.01.15
Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

Circuito do Alentejo capa eng.jpg

 

5 - SERPA

 

Travel: Beja »Serpa: 29 kms

Travel time (expected): 25 minutes.

The City

Serpa is located in the Alentejo, in the district of Beja, on the left bank of the Guadiana River, occupying an area of 1106.5 km2, distributed by 7 parishes (Brinches, Sinks, S. Salvador, Santa Maria, Vargo Valley, Village new São Bento and Vila Verde Ficalho).

Distance from the headquarters district about 30 km, serving as a border for your region the Guadiana River to the west, the river Chança in this, and the municipalities of Moura, north, and Mértola to the south.

While administrative unit, the county dating back to the 13th century, not finding the maxima correspond with any social unity, political, economic, cultural, and legal prior period. Therefore, the structural framework of previous populations to the formation of the county, whatever the parameter used as a reference, do not understand the rigidity of these limits.

Outside any legal or administrative context, the analysis of stand structure, limited to this space, has to be done in a multiplicity of factors in which the geomorphology and resources play a key role.

Set inside the Alentejo, the Serpa municipality fits the vast surface of flattened land, characteristic element of relief of Southern Portugal.

This monotonous plain, generally well preserved, sometimes slow rejuvenation way, becomes a ripple blanket. The characteristic of this peneplain soils are, overall, profound derived from basaltic rock of gabbro, diorite complex Beja region rich in phosphorus containing high proportions of clay - the pottery - and therefore high productivity. Looking in more detail However, we can individualize the county three distinct geomorphological spaces.

The first, corresponding to the clays of land, involves the city and its immediate term; the second, comprising wavy deformations of thin, schist soil, called Sierra de Serpa, south of the county between the Guadiana river and the river Chança and the third-defined residual relief consists of three parallel ridges of metamorphic limestone with NNW-SSE orientation hiercínica, extending from the border, reaching a maximum altitude of 518 meters in the Sierra de Ficalho.

The Guadiana river is presented as the most important water line of the county. However, his bed deeply embedded in the landscape, about 100 meters below the average level of relief, creates on its banks craggy hilltops and difficult to access. Its location on the west end of the county makes its structuring water line of paper if pales compared to its main tributaries, alongside the banks of the Enxoé, furrow good of this land. But while lanes of products, the river played a key role in structuring the proto-historic settlement.

With regard to natural resources, although with agriculture and related sectors main activity seems to be certain that the people here existing in direct seniority or indirectly accessed ores in the region.

Not recognizing this area deposits of similar importance to those a little further south are located, may, however, be distinguished on the left bank of the Guadiana three mining regions.

The first, covering the mountains of Ficalho, Adiça and laziness, part iron mines, copper, zinc and galenas argentíferas; the second, in the region of Barrancos, comprises copper mines; the third, situated between Mértola and the Chança river, falls lead mines, copper and manganese. Until a recent time was labored on the iron mines of Oratory, which may also have been exploited in antiquity.

 

Castelo de Serpa (Castle Serpa)

The early human occupation of their site dates back to prehistoric times, later Romanized, when he was called Serpa, living with the road connecting Beja south of Hispania. It is believed that here has been a Roman fort with the function to protect this stretch of the route. With the fall of the Roman Empire, met the presence of Alans and Vandals, when settled in Baetica, the Swabians, when it expanded to the South, and more lasting, the Visigoths, successful, from the eighth century by Muslims, that the fortified.

castelo serpa.JPG

 

Castelo Medieval (The medieval castle)

At the time of the Christian Reconquest of the Iberian peninsula, the town and its castle were first conquered or by troops under the command of D. Afonso Henriques (1112-1185) or by the group under the command Geraldo No-Awe in raid promoted in 1166 the territory beyond the river Guadiana.

He returned to the Muslim possession when the great offensive Almohad Abu Yusuf Ya'qub al-Mansur to the river Tagus (1191), when Christians remained in power only of Évora, in the Alentejo. Later, the forces of King Sancho II recover these lands, with Serpa won in 1232 and its areas delivered to Ferdinand, brother of the sovereign.

Two decades later, with D. Afonso III (1248-1279) completed the conquest of the Algarve, Alfonso X of Castile challenged it legally these areas. The Serpa domain and land beyond the river Guadiana also formed part of this dispute, having been transferred to the Castilian monarch in 1271. The dispute ended only in 1283, with the transfer of these to Queen Beatrix, daughter of Afonso X, widow of King Afonso III and the mother of King D. Dinis (1279-1325). With the rectification of the border, under the reign of this, the village received its first Foral (1295), with the same privileges to the residents of Évora, a time that began the reconstruction of old Muslim fortification, taking advantage of part of the primitive mud walls. To this end, the Order of Avis made a donation of one third of the income of the churches of Moura and Serpa to "remake and food of Alcaceres of said castles" (1320). Rui de Pina, in the Chronicle of D. Dinis, says Serpa between the villages whose "Alcaceres and castles made of foundation."

At the time of the 1383-1385 crisis, the town and its castle sided by the Master of Avis, having served as a base for Portuguese troops in several incursions into Spanish territory.

In the Cortes of 1455, the Serpa inhabitants contended that for the population decline of the remedy, caused by wars and pestilences, D. Afonso V (1438-1481) grant to future residents the exemption privilege, almost full for twenty years of military or municipal services. The sovereign, however, limited that concession to foreign and reduced to ten years, the term originally claimed.

Under the reign of King Manuel I (1495-1521), Serpa and his castle are figured by Duarte de Armas (Book of Fortresses, 1509 c.), Where it can be appreciated the size of dionisina work: a castle with the supported by walls and turrets of cylindrical square plan, dominated by an impressive keep; at his feet, the village surrounded by a double wall also reinforced by towers. The sovereign granted the Foral New to the village in 1513, and awarded the domain of the village and its castle to his son, Prince Louis, Duke of Beja.

The castle stands in the center of the village, the two hundred and thirty meters above the sea level. At the highest level, by the wall on the north deploys to fortress, of square plan.

About the village has oval plant, reinforced by turrets and square and semicircular plant towers, topped by merlons prismatic. It was originally tore three monumental gates (Moura Gate, northeast, Beja Port, northwest and Seville port south, the latter now defunct) flanked by two beveled round towers, these merlons with pentagonal shot.

The west cloth of the walls is topped by an aqueduct based on arcade go round, joining the Counts of Palace Ficalho, on the north side and a giant daughter based on a well, next to the southeast angle, built in the seventeenth century to supply the palace. In period opened the Door of Corredoura and the New Port.

palacio ficalho.jpg

 (Counts of Palace Ficalho)

 

The wall of the fortress is reinforced by the Keep, of square plan, adjoining south cloth, is left aside less; by a semicircular plant cubelo the same side and a rectangular plan tower in the southeast corner, next to which is still visible part of the Barbican involved. There is installed the Archaeological Museum of Serpa, exposing the evidence recovered in County region, the Paleolithic, Neolithic, of the Metal Age and Roman times.

In the square border to the Church of Santa Maria (old Muslim Mosque) stands the so-called Clock Tower, of square plan, where stands the bell, with tapered shot of pinnacles surrounded by merlons bevelled. Trace the fence of the village, was transformed into watch in 1440, becoming the third watch tower oldest in the country.

Igreja de Sta. Maria serpa.jpg

( Church of Santa Maria - old Muslim Mosque)

 

Inserted into the cloth of the walls is part of the Counts of Palace Ficalho in mannerist style, initiated by D. Francisco de Melo, Captain-General of Serpa in the late 17th century and continued by his sons, Pedro de Melo, governor of the Province of Rio de Janeiro (1662-1666), and Martin D. António de Melo, bishop of Guarda.

 

Gastronomy

SERPA

In Serpa and the local parishes, the kitchen lies in its quality and refinement plight of quilting. Its excellent bread the fundamental basis that came in line tasty, the lamb meat and pork, as well as game such as rabbit, hare, partridge and wild boar. The all joins a thorough range of spices: olive oil, lard and herbs such as parsley, mint, coriander, pennyroyal, mint river, oregano, among others. This apparent simplicity of means, result the traditional dishes of the region as the "migas", the "bread soup", the "lamb to the shepherd", the "washed" (cold tomato soup stepped), the "gazpacho" (here called "vinagrada"), the "masmarras" (Pope hot bread and garlic), the "beans with garlic and bay", the "beating-dumb" (at the time of the pig slaughter), the "fish stews river" .

There is also the stress two natural products of spontaneous and rare taste creation: asparagus, which can be harvested in the plain olive groves, and mushrooms, caught in the wild area of the Sierra.

Offers Serpa as desserts, fruit and sweets. Fruit is necessary to distinguish the melons, remarkable flavor, given the generosity of the soil and climate conditions. And in the sweet curd tart.

The compose the letter of delicacies should not forget the good local wines, that are distinguished the red, full-bodied, dark in color and smooth taste, awarded at national level.

Is thus constituted the framework can lead the visitor to enjoy the pleasure of eating well; act of culture here dignifies the originality of confection and quality of products.

 

queijserpa.jpg

 

 

Typical dishes

Soups:

Soupa “Lavadas” (Soup "Washed")

Soup "Vinagrada (gazpacho)

Açorda

Meat:

Migas

Borrego Pastor

Masmarras (hot bread and garlic)

Grãos com alho e louro (Beans with garlic and bay)

Surra-Burra (Beating-dumb - pig slaughter time)

Fish:

Caldeirada de peixe do rio (River fish stews)

Snacks:

Serpa cheese

Black pork sausages (Vila Nova de São Bento and Ficalho of Vila Verde)

Espargos (asparagus)

Azeitonas (Olives - Vale de Vargo)

Confectionery:

Folhados de Gila (Puffs gila)

Tosquianos

Turtas

Requeijadas de queijo (Curd cheesecake)

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

  SERPA

Sociedade Agrícola de Pias(Agricultural Society of Pias)

Rua Sto. António 8, Pias

7830-232 PIAS SRP

Producer Wines

With almost 40 years of existence the Agricultural Society of Pias produces all its wines from grapes harvested on his farm.

The estate has about 800 ha being occupied almost entirely by vineyards and olive groves.

In addition to the "Margaça" wine, "ASPIAS", "Pulo do Lobo" and "Slopes of Enxoé" still produce oil in Virgin and Extra Virgin categories "Slopes of Enxoé".

Herdade pias.jpg

 

TAHORA - Herdade de Medeiros (Tahora - Medeiros Homestead)

Medeiros Homestead | Parish of Salvador | Apartado 130 | 7830-909 Serpa

  1. + 351 219 242 476 | 914 240 320
  2. + 351 219 244 019

Producer Wines

Monte Medeiros is the result of passion and determination of its owner, António Agostinho Marques Key Figueira, who after visiting the region of Serpa-Pias decided to completely change his life by selling their business in Lisbon to devote to planting vineyard.

Located in a famous wine producing region, this region of Moura not only has the ideal climate and soil, it is also a sanctuary for various animal species. Your whole family is dedicated not only to produce the best wine possible but not bother to maintain the natural and wild side of the site. In its two dams can catch various fish and find a wide variety of birds.

THE WINERY:

This was rebuilt a ruin with more than 200 years, which makes it unique. Its construction was made with the highest esteem to save this treasure of grapes, but never abandoning the original design.

During the harvest, the grapes are picked by hand, selected and transported in small boxes directly to the tanks. During this fermentation process the temperature is controlled by hot water showers. The wine rests in French oak barrels in order to gain structure and body without losing personality and identity.

 

Spaza - Sociedade Produtora de Azeites do Alentejo Lda  *Spaza - Olive Oil Production Company of the Alentejo Lda(

Industrial Zone, Serpa

7830-464 SERPA

Olive oil producers

 

Risca Grande Lda.

Monte Source Corcho

7830 SERPA

Olive oil producers

The company is run by the Swiss families Bernhard and Zehnder, who bought the property at the time of 92 hectares in 2000 and began in 2002 with the olive cultivation. From the beginning, the aim was to cultivate the olive grove in accordance with the rules of organic farming, for which the conditions in the Alentejo region are great.

In 2003 the mill was built to be able to transform the olives produced. Built a large building to the mill, oil storage and packaging.

In 2005 were planted about 22 hectares of new olive grove.

In 2007 Andreas Bernhard, Alfred Zehnder and Ralph Mäder founded the company SCRATCHES BIG Lda.

In 2008, the property began conversion to biodynamic agriculture. And in 2009 reached the biodynamic certification "Demeter".

To ensure high product quality, the processes of BIG SCRATCHES are certificates by the BRC-GSFS since December 2009.

risca grande.jpg

 

to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 14:00

EN - Beja -Tour Alentejo 5 - Travel Tips

por Turiventos, em 08.01.15
Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

Circuito do Alentejo capa eng.jpg

 

BEJA

Travel: Ferreira do Alentejo »Beja: 56 kms

Travel time (expected): 60 m.

The city

The city of Beja deploys on a hill with 277m of altitude, dominating the vast surrounding plain. The field thus appears as a natural border between urban life and rural life. This fact marks the life of this village since its foundation, somewhere in the Iron Age. Ample proof that time is the proto-historic wall portion discovered during the excavations of Sembrano Street. Find the utmost importance, dispel all doubts about the pre-existence of a previous settlement to Roman times; however, we still do not know that people here would neither possess any information about the way they organized the pre-urban space.

Castelo de Beja (Beja Castle)

The Beja Castle is located in the extreme IN the city. According to traditional sources, occupies the early Roman castrum. It is a medieval castle in nature, arranged in pentagonal plan, flanked by six towers, including the Homage. The construction of the castle wall and was due to the royal initiative, when D. Afonso III assigns the Foral de Beja, which includes the reconstruction of the city fortification system, comprising up the longevity of the building process. The tower, according to some authors, can be associated with the reign of King Dinis. The military architectural complex also includes the curtain wall that limits the old city, which, with minor changes, was preserved until the War of Restoration.

The Watchtower has about forty feet high, in the case of the tallest tower in the country. It is considered by researchers to keep of the most beautiful towers of Portugal, in which converge the military and artistic character in a unique way. It was designed by architects or dionisianos unknown masters; however, increasingly believed that was completed in full reign of John I. quadrangular, consists of three rooms. The first room at the ground level is illuminated by three narrow slits, with ogival dome standing out in its decoration composed of bocetes naturalists and Muslim inspiration alveoli. On the east face of the spiral staircase that leads to the 2nd and 3rd floor terrace and a total of 183 steps.

The second room is the most beautiful castle, according to the description of Tulio Espanca "(...) is the magnificent octagonal coverage, warheads and polinervada nervagem, based on cantilevers with fillet cord and capitelação carved graceful and picturesquely with Atlantean figures and angels, the hardest-working positions. Radiating the axial star, coated with stucco craftsmen worked seventeen bocetes of flamboyant Gothic foliage, grant a movement and particular charm to this extraordinary work of architecture apparent from the early 15th century and the reign of King John I, which also reflect the stylistic and constructive Arab influences. "

In the third room, simpler, stand out above all the anthropo-zoomorphic figurative decorations. We also highlight the particularity of the numerous acronyms sites that participated in the construction over the centuries XIV / XV. In this room we access to the roof, protected with diamond tip of merlons, from which you can enjoy one of the most beautiful panoramas that can provide Beja, the plain in its splendor.

In the parade is the Governor's House, a building that has changed considerably in the late 30 per share of DGEMN, in order to value and preserve the Beja Castle

castelo-de-beja.jpg

 

Museu Regional de Beja (Regional Museum of Beja / Museum Queen Leonor)

The estate of the Beja Regional Museum is housed in the Convent Our Lady of Conceição since 1927 and was enlarged with collections from other monasteries and palaces of the region. Among the rich collection of the Museum, highlight the core of painting, composed of works by Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch masters, to cut a section, the collection of Goldsmith, and the Archaeology section, centered mainly in the Roman period, very rich in this region.

Due to its importance it should be noted, in painting, the frameset of the Portuguese school early, and in particular Ecce Homo (15th century), S. Vicente (16th century) school of the Master of Sardoal, the Virgin of the Rose (16th century), the Portuguese painter Francisco de Campos, and a group of four panels (16th century), the Portuguese painter António Nogueira, whose paintings represent the Visitation of St. Elizabeth, the Descent from the Cross, the Resurrection and Ascension.

Contacts and information:

Beja Regional Museum

Largo da Conceição

7800-131 Beja

Phone: 284 32 33 51 / Fax: 284 32 27 02

Site: www.museuregionaldebeja.net

Ticket price: 2 €

50% reduction for students, pensioners and teachers (with supporting card). Free for young people up to 15 years and teachers accompanying study visits.

Free admission on Sundays.

Tickets give access to the main museum and its Visigoth

museu regional beja.jpg

 

Núcleo Visigótico do Museu Regional de Beja  (Igreja de Santo Amaro) (Visigoth the Beja Regional Museum - Church of Santo Amaro)

The Visigoth collection of Beja Regional Museum, is the core pieces of this most important time in the country, and motivated to Beja the name "Capital of Visigothic Art in Portugal". Was collected over several decades by several experts, of which it is fair to highlight the archaeologist name Abel Viana.

Contacts and information:

Visigoth the Beja Regional Museum

Santo Amaro Largo

7800-263 Beja

Phone: 284 32 14 65 / Fax: 284 32 27 02

Site: http://www.museuregionaldebeja.net/onucleovisigotico.htm

Ticket price: 2 €

50% reduction for students, pensioners and teachers (with supporting card). Free for young people up to 15 years and teachers accompanying study visits.

Free on Sundays

Accessible to visitors with limited mobility.

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Núcleo Museológico da Rua do Sembrano (Museum Centre of Sembrano Street)

The Visigoth collection of Beja Regional Museum, is the core pieces of this most important time in the country, and motivated to Beja the name "Capital of Visigothic Art in Portugal". Was collected over several decades by several experts, of which it is fair to highlight the archaeologist name Abel Viana.

Contacts and information:

Visigoth the Beja Regional Museum

Santo Amaro Largo

7800-263 Beja

Phone: 284 32 14 65 / Fax: 284 32 27 02

Site: http://www.museuregionaldebeja.net/onucleovisigotico.htm

Ticket price: 2 €

50% reduction for students, pensioners and teachers (with supporting card). Free for young people up to 15 years and teachers accompanying study visits.

Free on Sundays

Accessible to visitors with limited mobility.

Foto Sembrano.jpg

 

Núcleo Museológico da Rua do Sembrano  (Museum Centre of Sembrano Street)

The Museum Centre of Sembrano Street includes a number of archaeological structures that allow, even though it is a small area in the whole of the urban structure of Beja, glimpse some moments of history of this city and how the space here was evolving. The archaeological excavations, carried out during the 80 and 90 of the twentieth century, put the discovered traces that extend chronologically, from Prehistory to Contemporary Age. The oldest, some ceramic fragments, point to an occupation of this site dating back to the Copper Age or Chalcolithic Period in the 3rd millennium BC

Activities: Temporary exhibitions. Guided tours, free, in Portuguese, English or Spanish, booked in advance by phone 284 311 920.

Contacts:

Street Sembrano / Largo St. John

7800 Beja

GPS 38º00'47''88N, 7º51'49''14W

Price: Free

Accessible to visitors with limited mobility

Museu Jorge Vieira/Casa das Artes  (Museum Jorge Vieira / House of Arts)

Jorge Vieira Museum is part of the artistic legacy of the sculptor Jorge Vieira donated to the Municipality of Beja in 1994. Installed since May 1995, in a building of historic city center, old dwelling house and immediately before its adaptation to museum space, commercial property in the area of restoration, the Museum houses an important collection of sculptures, models and drawings written by Jorge Vieira, artist that marked the route of Portuguese art in the twentieth century.

The permanent collection can be visited on the first floor of the Museum. The reception, temporary exhibition hall and workshop rooms are on level 0.

Contacts:

Museum Jorge Vieira / House of Arts

Bull Street, 33

7800-489 Beja

Price: Free

Not accessible to visitors with limited mobility

 

Museu Episcopal de Beja (Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres de Beja)  (Episcopal Museum of Beja - Church of Our Lady of Beja Prazeres)

The Episcopal Museum of Beja was founded in 1892 under the auspices of Bishop Antonio Xavier de Sousa Monteiro, by Monsignor Amadeu streets to avoid the dispersion of works of art belonging to the preceding monasteries and convents of Beja. Had the headquarters in the old building Bishop's Palace (College of St. Francis Xavier). Nationalized in 1911, its collection led to the Regional Museum, Museum today Queen Leonor. Restored in 2004, the Church of Our Lady of Joy, as one of the poles of Museology Diocesan Network.

Collections

Painting, sculpture, decorative arts.

Featured:

The decorative group from inside the monument, combining gold leaf, oil paintings and white blue tiles.

Activities:

Guided tours in Portuguese, English, French and Spanish (fixing in advance by email or by phone / included in the ticket price)

Free visit for school groups and seniors.

Contacts:

Largo dos Prazeres, 4

7800- 420 Beja

GPS 38º00'55''86N, 7º51'57''86W

Site: www.diocese-beja.pt

Prices: Normal ticket: 1.5 euros / Up to 12 years free.

Not accessible to visitors with limited mobility.

 

Museu Botanico (Botanical Museum)

The Botanical Museum of Agrarian School of Beja is a scientific culture center, designed for the presentation of temporary exhibitions illustrating the established age-old relationship between man and plants. The Museum aims to preserve study and disseminate knowledge and objects coming from collections and studies, economic botany and ethno botany, developed in Portugal and abroad. Through the study of manufactured objects from plants, vegetable raw materials and natural objects, the visitor can rediscover the ingenuity of man and the creative power of nature.

Contacts:

Botanical Museum

Agrarian School of Beja

Apartado 6158

7801-908 Beja Codex

Phone: 284 314 300 / Fax: 284 388 207

Site: www.esab.ipbeja.pt/museu/

Price: Free

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Ermida Sto. André  (Hermitage Sto. André)

National monument

The present building is part of the Gothic-Mudejar building tradition. The temple was probably built in the late fifteenth century or early sixteenth, possibly in the patronage action of Manuel. This is a type of building that is some parallels in the Alentejo region.

 Location: Lisbon Street

Igreja de Santo Amaro (Santo Amaro Church)

National monument

It is a basilica church, whose foundation seems to date back to late antiquity. Despite having undergone several changes over the centuries preserved still part of the central nave.

It now hosts the Visigoth the Regional Museum of Beja, whose collection of architectural elements is the most important group known in the country. Its existence justified the classification of the town of Beja as the capital of Visigothic Portugal.

Location: Santo Amaro Largo

Igreja da Misericórdia (Church of Mercy)

National monument

It was built in the mid-sixteenth century. This is a very important example of architecture of the Renaissance / Mannerist, strong Italian influence, inspired by the famous Loggia of Florence. It was initially designed to butcher, but his aesthetic impact was so strong that quickly was considered to be too noble for this function, adapting the building the church.

Location: Republic Square

Igreja Misericordia Beja_01.jpg

 

Convento Nossa Senhora da Conceição (Convent of Our Lady of Conception)

National monument

The Convent of Our Lady of Conception was founded by order of the first Duke of Beja, Fernando and Brites, parents of Queen Leonor and King D. Manuel, and was one of the richest monasteries in southern Brazil. In the late nineteenth century and early twentieth century, the city of Beja was the scene of major property destruction and this former convent survived only the church, the cloister, the chapter house and adjacent divisions. He is currently installed there the Regional Museum of Beja (Queen Leonor Museum) whose estate consists of important collections, highlighting the of tile, religious art, painting and archeology.

Location: Largo da Conceição

Convento de S. Francisco/Capela dos túmulos  (Convent of St. Francis / Chapel of the tombs)

Is located outside the medieval walls, next to the old road linking the Beja Mértola. It was founded in the thirteenth century, having undergone profound changes over the centuries, and are visible elements of different styles of architecture. The Gothic period on a call Chapel / Hall of Tombs, a family funeral chapel ever built in the fifteenth century, which is considered by some authors as one of the most interesting Gothic monuments of the country. This chapel is classified as a Public Interest.

Currently, the Convent of St. Francis is part of the network Pousadas de Portugal.

Location: Largo D. Nuno Alvares Pereira

Igreja Sta. Maria (Church of Santa Maria)

Public Interest

It is one of the oldest churches in Beja and, according to some authors, may have been built on the site of an ancient mosque. This is one of the best examples of so-called 'Gothic Alentejo', preserving the medieval period, the apse. Also noteworthy, the porch, the baroque altars and a representation of the 'Tree of Jesse', installed in a side chapel.

Location: Largo Santa Maria

Igreja de Nossa Senhora dos Prazeres  (Museu Episcopal de Beja)  (Church of Our Lady of Joy - Episcopal Museum of Beja)

Public Interest

Chapel dated 1672 to be two separate bodies. The simple façade does not denounce the artistic richness of its interior. Here is one of the most important religious art repositories of the city and a set of tiles with great beauty, composed of historians panels 1698 designed by the painter Gabriel del Barco. The body of the church is covered by baroque carving and tiles of the eighteenth century.

Location: Largo dos Prazeres

Igreja de Nossa Senhora de ao Pé da Cruz  (Church of Our Lady of the Foot of the Cross)

Public Interest

The Church of Our Lady of the Foot of the Cross is located in the old quarter of Alcaçarias. The original chapel date from 1499, but the building that now found there was built in the seventeenth century. With a facade "plain style" characterized by austere lines, hardly leaves guess the richness of its interior.

Location: Foot of the Cross Street

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade  (Church of Our Lady of Mercy)

Located within the Great Hospital Our Lady of Mercy, built in 1490 by D. Manuel, Duke of Beja, has changed considerably over time. The interior is coated with gold leaf, and to highlight the main altar and the big screens of Italian school.

Location: Manuel I Street

Igreja do Salvador  (The Savior's Church)

Church whose foundation dates back to the thirteenth century. However the extensive renovations that target was being let not foresee anything that period. The main facade is sober and masonry.

Location: Largo Salvador

Sé Catedral  (Cathedral)

Although there are references to this temple from the reign of Ferdinand (Church of Santiago), have undergone profound changes in the 16th century. In the twentieth century turns out to be profoundly altered when adjusted to see.

It emphasizes the altar dedicated to St. Sezinando, natural and patron of Beja.

Location: Largo Lidador

se beja.jpg

 

Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Carmo  (Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel)

The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel is located on the site where once stood the Chapel of Santa Catarina, ordered built by Diogo Fernandes widow of Beja, chief captain of the ship of the armed India.

It is a typical eighteenth-century church, with simple facade and gabled topped by spiers.

Location: Largo do Carmo

Ermida de Santo Estêvão  (Chapel of St. Stephen)

This is one of the oldest shrines of Beja, having been founded in the late thirteenth century to deposit rider Stephen Vasques. In 1915 it was donated to the Holy House of Mercy of Beja, having finished by function as barn. In 1940 it was restored and reopened for worship. It is a chapel of a nave and chancel, fully vaulted, Gothic characteristic of the time of King Dinis, with notorious Franco-Burgundian influence.

Location: Largo dos Prazeres

Ermida de S. Sebastião  (Chapel of St. Sebastian)

Church of Mannerist architecture, popular, with only one nave and chancel. Inside stand out the traces of tempera painting of the eighteenth century.

 Location: Largo Francisco Mendes

Convento de Santo António  (St. Anthony Convent)

Built in 1609, thanks to the alms of the city's population. In the first half of the nineteenth century is occupied by the Ministry of War and transformed into Military Hospital. Today, little remains of the original period, unless your convent aspect: concierge, chapel, cloister, bedroom and garden.

Location: St. Sebastian Street

Arco Romano / "Portas de Évora"  (Roman Arch / "Evora Ports")

National monument

Currently integrated in medieval castle, outside the citadel, this arc has undergone some vicissitudes over the centuries. Some authors point to its construction between the third and fourth centuries AD, integrated into the Roman walls and corresponding to one of the input ports in the city and were demolished in the sixteenth century. It is referred to the year 1938 as the date of its reconstruction, with traces subsisting in buildings demolished however.

It is also known as 'Evora doors' and is classified as a National Monument since 1910.

Location: Annex Castle

Janela Manuelina  (Manueline window)

One of the best examples of this existing style in Beja. The window originally belonged to the Carmo Convent, which was demolished later being placed in the current home.

Location: Afonso Costa Street, No 38

janela manuelina.jpg

 

Azulejaria de Beja  (Tiles of Beja)

By walking through the city streets and the inside of some buildings were not indifferent to the color and brightness of the tiles that decorate. There are five centuries of history tile that also have some history of the city.

azuleijos beja.jpg

 

Janela de Mariana Alcoforado  (Mariana Alcoforado window)

You can visit the Beja Regional Museum (Convent of Our Lady of the Conception) referenced the famous window in one of the letters of Mariana Alcoforado by which felt for the first time, the effects of his passion for the overwhelming Chamilly Marquis rider.

Location: Largo da Conceição (Regional Museum of Beja)

 

janela mariana alcoforada.jpg

 

Passo da Rua da Ancha  (Step of the Ancha Street)

Copy of the steps of the cross, of mannerist style (17th century). The 'steps' are elements of religious architecture, inserted on the facades of some buildings, intended to represent the Stations of the Cross of Christ, and they were covered in certain festivities or religious manifestations.

Location: Street Ancha, 11

Arcadas da Praça da República  (Arcades of the Republic Square)

Arcades Manueline in Republic Square. Time of the sixteenth century construction.

Location: Republic Square

Pelourinho de Beja  (Pillory of Beja)

Was ordered to do by Manuel after the grant of the New Reading charter in 1521. After a busy route the pillory was rebuilt in the twentieth century according to the original model, which are preserved some fragments.

Location: Republic Square

Pelourinhodebeja2006.jpg

 

Arco dos Prazeres  (Arc of Pleasures)

Arch that opened in indefinitely, between the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century century, consisting of full bow, double frames, changed in recent times the base for ease of road movement and which was saved from destruction by the poet Mario Beirão.

Location: Pleasure Arch Street

Janela de Rótulas  (Spherical window)

Eighteenth-century window in wood, designated as ball joints or trellis window.

Location: Ulmo Street

Arco das portas de Avis  (Arc of Avis doors)

The arc of this door was demolished in 1893. Later, granite blocks that formed were discovered in his new role (fishmonger tables of Santa Maria Market), which allowed its reconstitution in 1939.

Location: Avis Arch Street

Herdade dos Grous  (Herdade dos Cranes)

Built around a private lagoon, this farm with 593 acres of land hosts a horizon of observation cranes, which give it its name. In addition to all the natural beauty, has 55 hectares of vineyards, which can be visited on foot, by tractor or horse. The ground sets the wine tourism as one of its priorities, presenting their wines in a set of services: restaurant, shop and test space.

Store

Mon-Sun 9:30 to 18:30

(it is by appointment)

Contacts:

Of Cranes Ltd Estate

Address: 7800-601 Albernôa / Beja

Contacts: 284960000 | Fax: 284960072

Gastronomy

BEJA

Meet Beja is also the flavors of regional products here are made. Products that result from accumulated knowledge in time, going back to ancient practices, which also have the "fixing of hands" with the gestures of crops and do not lose the flavors ever. Meet some of these products.

sopa_cacao.jpg

(Sopa de Caçao) 

 

Typical dishes

 Soups:

Açorda the Alentejo

Dogfish soup to Alentejo

Tomato soup

Purslane soup with cheeses and eggs

Gazpacho the Alentejo

Meat:

Migas the Alentejo

Stew the Pastora

Cooked with beans

Confectionery:

Bread Rala

Nougat

Queijadas of Curd

Geladinhos of the Conception Convent

Cake of Good Hope Convent of Taste

Hope Convent of bacon tarts

Snacks:

Greaves

Roasted lamb heads

Coriander liver

Carrots in olive oil and garlic

Mushrooms

Gizzards in tomato sauce, olives

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

BEJA

Gomez Cabrera Lda

Fifth St Peter Baleizão

7800-611 Baleizão

Producer of olive oil. Brands La Comtesse and Secret of the Alentejo.

Olive oil producers

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Sociedade Agrícola Monte Novo e Figueirinha Lda.  (Agricultural Society Monte Young and Figueirinha Lda)

Herdade Monte New Figueirinha, Beja

7800 Beja

Wine and Olive Oil

The company Agricultural Society of New Mount and Figueirinha, Lda. Is established since 1998. The founder is the Commander Leonel Cameirinha and the management of the company is in charge of the founder and his grandson Philip Cameirinha Ramos. The New Mount Estate and Figueirinha has an area of 300 acres of flat land and good quality, near S. Brissos, about 5 km from Beja, Alentejo, the southern region of Portugal. The main productions are the vineyards and olive groves. The varieties of grapes and olives are carefully selected to embody the high quality wine and olive oil, with all the distinctive features of the Alentejo region. The Cellar Figueirinha was built in 2003 and is a modern winery equipped with the latest technology, to meet an annual production capacity of 800,000 liters of wine with grapes from 70 hectares of own production and other local producers. The winemaker is Eng. Sevinate Philip Pinto. With an area of 170 acres of olive groves, in 2006, the company decided to build the mill Figueirinha, with processing capacity of 8 million tons of olives, and produces a high quality olive oil. The technical advisor to the oil production is the Engineer João Gomes.

monte novo figueirinha.jpeg

 

Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito CRL

Industrial Zone, Vidigueira

7960-305 VIDIGUEIRA

The Adega Cooperativa de Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito, CRL already has more than half a century (1960), the result of the dream, the effort and work of the majority of growers in the regions of Vidigueira, Cuba and Alvito (currently about 300 active members).

It is a "home" which seeks daily reinvents an intersection of "lines" that complement and reinvent. The "line" of the Alentejo plain through generations, was continuous and traces the long experience of the cellar, the "line" that is inspired by the sea horizon of other times, in a vision of discovery and conquest of the future, reinvention and modernization; the "line" of a culture that unfolds the discovery of flavors and sensations - wine - united by the people who, yesterday and today, align all these lines a "line" only the CELLAR.

Because the world is a sea of opportunities as well as challenges, today's global; because we believe that, in addition to inserting in a country that is becoming ever more as a producer of fine wines and also a privileged region, the whole of the Alentejo and specificity of Vidigueira, which has a deep-rooted wine culture, and the very name of the Village its origin in the word vine; because it is part a global concept, the discoveries, while competitive advantage of 'conquest' of the global market, based on the unique distinguishing characteristics of our varieties; because, finally and above all, between the effective wine cellar count up the best indigenous varieties, maintained by several generations, of which distinguishes the Antão Vaz variety, also known as 'caste Vidígueira', producing a white unique and that will be the source of the White recognized the Alentejo, for us the variety 'muse' inspiring, the Cellar, a journey that takes place in acts interconnected their wines on a trip to their region, culture and history, a discovery here new 'sensory territories', their wines.

 

A-ADEGA vidigueira.png

 

Herdade dos Grous  (Herdade dos Cranes)

Albernôa

7800-601 Beja

Phone: +351 / 284/96 00 00

email: info@herdade-dos-grous.com

The estate has 700 hectares of cranes, 73 of which are dedicated to the production of wines.

The remaining area is divided by livestock production, olives, vegetables and horse breeding. At the heart of this property, is the dam of Herdade dos cranes, with a size of 98 hectares.

The estate of Cranes aims to provide products and services of high quality preserving regional characteristics combining traditional methods with new technologies.

Wines

Herdade dos Grous 23 barrels Red 2010

Legacy of the White Cranes 2011

Legacy of the White Cranes 2012

Herdade dos Cranes Moon Harvested Red 2010

Herdade dos Cranes White Book 2011

Herdade dos Cranes Tinto Reserva 2009

Herdade dos Cranes Red 2010

 

herdade-dos-grous-.jpg

 

to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 22:43

Cultural heritage - historical - architecture - religious - Gastronomy - Wine and Olive Oil .

Duration – 1 week 

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Ferreira do Alentejo

Travel: Grândola »Ferreira do Alentejo: 56 kms

Travel time (expected): 60 m. 

The City

Situated on a small hill, surrounded by extensive plains, the Alentejo Ferreira village is at the southern end of the municipality and its boundary with the Aljustrel and Beja.

Here there was a castle, apparently founded by D. Gualdim Pais, the Knights Templar. Avila, who received a charter of King Manuel I in 1516, belonged to the Dukes of Aveiro and then the crown.

The built heritage of Ferreira do Alentejo, there is the parish church. 16th century, has suffered since its construction several restoration works. Inside, you can see a painted vault in the baptistery and the altar of Our Lady of Light, a board also 16th century.

 With about six thousand people, this parish is typically urban, because its main activities trade and services. Agriculture, here, does not play the same role as in the rest of the county.

Capela do Calvário (Calvary Chapel)

From any and all chapels or village churches, evidence is a sui generis the Chapel of Calvary. From bold architecture, evoking the martyrdom of Christ, this small chapel, single copy in our country is a cultural heritage building and became the city symbol.

capela calvario ferreira.jpg

 

Igreja Matriz (Matrix Church)

Despite the extensive renovations that suffered over the years, the Church of Nossa Senhora Da or Assumption, already mentioned in the 14th century documents, has in its main front door topped by an interesting symbol of Santiago Order of Knights Sword, patrons of this village from the thirteenth century. It is also here, at the altar he is buried, D. João de Sousa, one of the main and most important commanders of Ferreira village.

igreja matriz ferreira.JPG

 

Igreja Nossa Senhora da Conceiçao (Church of Our Lady of Conception)

Discreet facade, blue bars, the Church of Nossa da Conceição, formerly Chapel of St. Peter, is the dwelling-house of the small and mysterious image of Our Lady of the Conception that is believed to have accompanied Christopher equerry, noble land, one of the largest in this accompanied Vasco da Gama to India.

Your cruise bow is coated by a panel of single tiles in the Iberian Peninsula, datable 17th century.

 

Igreja da Mesericórdia (Church of Mercy)

Referring to the Manueline style and the stonework where glimpse pinecones, anthropomorphic figures and stranded, is the porch that beautifies the Church of Mercy that originally belonged to the old church of the Holy Spirit, demolished in 1911. This last, collected also a beautiful polyptych painting, dating from the sixteenth century, also stored in the Misericordia church. This copy can be admired today at the Municipal Museum of Ferreira.

Throughout the village one can see solar and architecture of houses peculiar testimony of a vast architectural heritage of old, despite the advent of the Republic on 5 October 1910 much to be depleted.

Inhabited by distinguished transtaganas families, the current village still retains distinct building parts as will be the Solar of the Friars in the street Miguel Bombarda, the Green House, next to Plaza Comendador Infante Passanha, Home Borges or the Solar the Three Brothers just outside the village. For the most part, are property of the nineteenth century, boasting plaster moldings of facades, windows with wrought iron, with interiors exquisitely decorated by stucco relevados and paintings signed by John Eloy Amaral.

Some of these solar have been transformed and are now rental accommodation units, the Solar dos Friars, and rural tourism, the case of Casa Verde.

Gastronomy

Ferreira do Alentejo

In Ferreira do Alentejo practices the good and typical Alentejo kitchen where sausage, garlic bread soup, the Sado eel stew, pork to the Alentejo, the bread soup of purslane, the açorda carrasquinhas, the famous migas and the gazpacho drizzled with fine wine from Herdade do Pinheiro leave no one indifferent. The crown the meal we suggest the ferreirenses (almond cakes and squash).

ferreirenses.JPG

 (Ferreirenses)

 

Typical dishes

Garlic bread soup

Pork the Alentejo

Migas

Gazpacho

Tomato bread soup

Tion of soup,

White beans with carrasquinhas

Ferreirenses

 

WINE AND OLIVE OIL

 

Alenlagar - Sociedade Exploradora do Lagar de Ferreira do Alentejo Lda (Alenlagar - Society Explorer of Ferreira do Alentejo Mill Ltd.)

Agro Industrial Park, Mount penny

7900-357 ODIVELAS FAL

Olive oil producers

alenlagar.jpg

 

Taifas - Indústria e Comércio de Azeites SA (Taifa - Industry and Trade of Oils SA)

Quinta São Vicente Ferreira do Alentejo

7900-193 Ferreira do Alentejo

Olive oil producers

Oil Quinta de São Vicente, Heirs Passanha.

The essential basis of a simple and sophisticated cuisine.

Fine cuisine and a thousand flavors, dedicated exclusively to pleasure.

A single oil with gold reflections and straw, green fruit aromas and intense flavor, between pepper and hazelnut.

The oil Quinta de São Vicente presents with a natural straw yellow color, a translucent appearance, a capricious fluidity and extraordinarily delicate. Subtle aromas of fresh fruit to escape quickly to make room for more intense and wooded notes. It's the taste that the exceptional and unique combination of Arbequina and Cobrançosa reveals its perfection. Essence of nature and source of life, the oil Quinta de São Vicente is the ancient land of the Alentejo plain, worked by our family over 3 centuries. Herb unexpected flavors, apple and tomato, with a subtle spicy pepper and a delicious touch of hazelnut. Voluptuous and sublime notes that will infuse your palate a sweet euphoria. In terms of gastronomy, olive oil is the most Mediterranean dishes. Now sweet, sometimes robust, revealing the unique aromas of the origin of the olives region, olive oil accompanies perfectly the cold, without fear high temperatures.

taifas.jpg

 

Herdade do Pinheiro (Estate Pinheiro)

Ferreira do Alentejo

7900-441 Peroguarda

Wine Producers, Oil, Preserves. Alentejo olive oil. Regional Wine.

The Pine Farm is a family business in which two brothers, Ana beak and Miguel Ferreira Silvestre were ahead of their destiny after his grandfather's death, Antonio Francisco Silvestre Ferreira, an agricultural entrepreneur who arrived in Alentejo, in the late 50 and brought with him a passion for vine growing and wine.

The estate of the dam can also be visited advantage to see all the existing flora and fauna in particular Bitterns (rare species in the country), Cartaxos, Storks Flamingos, Grebes, torticollis, Royal Ducks among others.

hewrdade pinheiro.jpg

to be continued...

Post by: António Duro

Autoria e outros dados (tags, etc)

publicado às 22:24


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