Explore the best places
Heritage in Portugal
Convento de São Francisco dos Capuchos da Piedade
- heritage
Travessa do Convento dos Capuchos
7220, Portel
A Franciscan convent founded in 1547 by Dom Teodósio I, Duke of Braganza. It underwent extensive renovation in 1726 and, in 1834, was converted into a warehouse for agricultural implements. Currently, it stands vacant and on private land.
Casa Nobre da Família Gil Borja de Meneses
- heritage
Praça da República
7220-374, Portel
This two-story building, dating back to the Joanine period, features a stately architecture dating back to the 18th century. The family crest adorns the main door. All the windows on the upper floor open onto a small balcony. Currently, it serves as a retirement home.
Castelo de Portel
- heritage
Rua dos Arcos - Praça Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira
7220-375, Portel
An important example of military architecture, this castle was built in the 13th century. It has the shape of an irregular octagon, and the keep, with rooms covered by Gothic vaults, is made of marble. Currently, the Palace of the Mayors and the Dukes of Braganza, and the Manueline-Mudejar chapel, remain. The residential buildings, barracks, and military warehouses in the Plaza de Armas are in ruins.
Aldeia dos Pequeninos
- heritage
Travessa do Burralho, 2
7220, Portel
A small garden where you can see small artifacts of the village, such as the water tank, the village's cliff-side streets, the mill, the national flag, the April carnations, the streams and some waterfalls.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lagoa
- heritage
Largo Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira
7200-175, Reguengos de Monsaraz
The 16th-century Parish Church of the Town of Monsaraz replaced the previous Gothic church, which had been contaminated by the plague. The marble tomb arch by Gomes Martins Silvestre, depicting a funeral procession of 17 people, is one of the most important monuments. In the center of the pediment, a tile panel depicts the Virgin of the Conception. The façade features two quadrangular towers and a false portico with three blind arches.
Igreja Matriz de Reguengos de Monsaraz / Igreja Matriz de Santo António
- heritage
Praça da Liberdade
7200-370, Reguengos de Monsaraz
Construction began on October 27, 1887. The bell tower stands in the center of the façade, and inside, three naves and three chapels can be seen in the transept area. The transept protrudes, and the giant flying buttresses and the tower's positioning in the center of the façade make this church one of the finest examples of neo-Gothic architecture in Portugal.
Rocha dos Namorados
- heritage
Rua de São Pedro
7200-132, Reguengos de Monsaraz
This granite monument, shaped like a mushroom, stands over 2 meters tall. It has a peculiar morphology, resembling a mushroom, with the base narrower than the top, and the height greater. Its symbolism became an attraction, as it was customary for local girls to throw a stone at the menhir to find out if their marriage was imminent. Each lost stone represented a year of waiting. Today, it is still observed on the first Monday of Easter.
Porta do Buraco ou da Cisterna
- heritage
Travessa da Cisterna
7200-175, Reguengos de Monsaraz
It's one of four gates that provide access to the walled interior of Monsaraz Castle and reflects the military concerns of the time. Each gate is composed of granite, red clay mortar, and lime. This one, like the Alcoba Gate, is carved in a round arch.
Porta de Alcoba
- heritage
Travessa Dom Dinis
7200-175, Reguengos de Monsaraz
It is one of four gates that provide access to the walled interior of Monsaraz Castle. Each gate is composed of granite, red clay mortar, and lime. The scenic effect they create is admirable, as this one is carved in a round arch. It has been subject to successive renovations for its preservation.
Cromeleque do Xerez
- heritage
Monsaraz
7200-173, Monsaraz
This group of fifty menhirs, defining a regular quadrangular enclosure, was discovered and identified by the Portuguese. Although fractured, some have a phallic shape, others almond-shaped, surrounding a gigantic central post with a phallic shape, four meters high and weighing seven tons. It was the only monument moved to another location in the entire Alqueva region and was installed in 2004.