In the east of Portugal, near the Spanish border, is one of the most favorite medieval villagee of the Portuguese: Monsaraz, perched on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Guadiana River.
Monsaraz, 2h15 from Lisbon and 50 min from Evora, is one of the oldest villages in the country, coveted since the dawn of time. Romans, Arabs, Jews and Christians succeeded each other there.
Visitors are charmed by the white houses that line the narrow streets with large irregular schist cobblestones.
Flowers provide vibrant pops of color. Apart from the summer months and sundays, a serene calm reigns in the town.
A few artisan workshops (potters, weavers) offer quality products, wine bars offer tastings of the fine regional wines, museums and churches invite you to visit.
All the streets lead to the top of the town and its castle built in the 14th century. A disconcerting castle, since the inner square was transformed into an arena around 1830. Bullfights are still held there every year.
From the ruins of the fortress, the view embraces the vast shades of blue and green formed by the Alqueva, one of the largest artificial lakes in Europe with an area of 250 km² and a circumference of 1150 km.
Below the castle of Monsaraz, this monument is dedicated to Canto Alentejano.
A sculpture by Antonio Villar de Souza and Maria José Cardoso de Suza.
