Alentejo,
Portugal, which literally means “ further away from the Tajo”, has
a particular character and beauty quite different from the other Portuguese
provinces. Alentejo is a region of vast plains heated by the sun, in
shades of ocre in summer, gigantic blue skies with extraordinary luminosity,
olive trees and cork plantations offering the only shade for the herds
of sheep and pigs grazing there. It is also referred to as the ´land
of bread´ thanks to the fields of wheat, oat and rice other than
the vineyards, tomato patches and other vegetables.
Alentejo
is the most extensive and flat province in Portugal, occupying
a third of the total area of Portugal. Its extension goes from
the Spanish border to the east, to the Atlantic Ocean on the
west, dividing the provinces of Ribatejo and the Beira Baixa to
the north from the Algarve to the south. Menhir, dolmenes – incredible prehistoric
funeral monuments from the megalithic period with two long flat vertical
stones and one flat one on the top forming a door-way like effect – and
stones in circles, are all atmospheric souvenirs of an old culture
spread out on the hillsides. Not forgetting hidden coves, sand dunes
and wild beaches as in Malhao, with one of the biggest stork colinies
in all Europe. Many of the towns and cities in Alentejo show us their
battle wounds against the Moors; many are found on the hillsides,
walled in and well fortified. The arcjitecture is simple and fresh;
low one storey buildings painted white to show the sun´s
reflection, with traditional zocalos (pedestal bases) painted
blur to look like the sky. Big chimneys remind us of cold winters.
Geographically, the province is divided in two regions: El Alto
Alentejo ( High ) whose capital is Portalegre and El Bajo ( or Low
) who9se capital is Beja. To the east two mountain ranges reach high
into the sky, Sao Mamede and Ossa. Some cities in these ranges like
Marvao are located on craggy overpowering cliffs. The largest river
in Portugal, the Guadiana, crosses the province and at some points
acts as a natural border between Portugal and Spain.
Evora is the
most important city in Alentejo. It is a fascinating city filled
with interesting monuments all of which are very well conserved.
This city has been declared as a “ historic “ monument
by the International Organization of World Heritage. The oldest
monument in this city is the Temple of Diana, dating back to
the II or III century B.C. To the right of the temple is the monastery
dos Loios or Saint John Baptist Church. The convent has been
converted into an elegant accommodation called Pousada ( a chain
of historic buildings used as luxurious hotel accommodation).
If you have decided
to fly into Portugal through the Lisbon Airport, use your time
wisely by going sightseeing all through Lisbon before you go for
a car hire. Sintra, about 32 kilometres northwest of Lisbon is
like being in another world; different climate and way of living
with its sensorial homes and very intriguing museums. But the best
way to visit Sintra and Cascais, the place where many royal families
spend their summer vacations,and known for abundant accommodations
for everyone´s budgets is by
car hire.
A sightseeing
tour full of variety and well worth your efforts would be the medieval
city of Monsaraz, with its nickname of Ninho das Auias or Eagle
Nests as they are situated at great heights over the Guadiana River.
Marvao, on the border of Spain, has spectacular sights to see and
the nearby town of Castelo de Vide, a Spa city on the top of a
hill with the typical Jewish neighbourhood with its winding and
twisting streets and an exceptional synagogue from the 13th c.
is not to be left out.
The skilled
craftsmen grace us with all kinds of ceramic done with an infinity
of techniques, hand painted furniture, tablecloths and tapestry
from Portalegre. These are just some remembrances that we can share
after our sightseeing venture through Alentejo, Portugal.
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