Attractions and Places To See around Torrão - Top 20

Located within the Paço dos Henriques complex, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception and the Shell Garden are, for me, the main reason to visit this place. Initially dedicated to Saint Jerome, the Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception was rebuilt in the 17th century, entirely covered in shells. In total, there are about 26 species of shells, creating an extraordinary visual effect. In the past, there was also a water circuit that started at the well and followed the aqueduct to the tank. A true ode to the sea in the Alentejo interior.

Alcáçovas is a Portuguese town and seat of the parish of Alcáçovas in the municipality of Viana do Alentejo. The parish has an area of 268.13 km² and 1931 inhabitants (2021 census), giving it a population density of 7.2 inhabitants/km². It was a town and seat of a municipality between 1258 and 1836. This municipality consisted only of the parish of the seat and had 1613 inhabitants in 1801. It was the site of the signing of the Treaty of Alcáçovas-Toledo on September 4, 1479. The art of cowbell making has existed in the town of Alcáçovas since time immemorial.

Place where the Peace Treaty of Alcáçovas was signed in 1479, between the kingdom of Portugal and the kingdom of Castile.

Garden and Chapel of Shells. The Chapel of Shells or Chapel of Our Lady of the Conception is a chapel located in the historic town of Alcáçovas, in Portugal. Built in the 17th and 18th centuries, it has the unique feature of having a façade and altar decorated with shells. The shells, which give the chapel its name, also adorn the adjacent garden, which can be entered through a tower with an interior covered in shells and shards of old porcelain. One of the walls of the chapel, in the garden area, is completely covered with an unusual panel of colourful designs made with shells.

Built on the bed of the Odivelas river and located near the village of the same name, the Odivelas dam is one of the largest dams in the Baixo Alentejo. Approximately 5 km long, 3 km wide, and with a flooded area of approximately 970 ha, the Odivelas reservoir is an important gathering point for a variety of aquatic birds. Here you can fish for bass, practice water sports or simply relax and enjoy a light meal in the picnic area in the leisure area.

The Odivelas Dam was the first Zagope project work, it is located in Baixo Alentejo, in the municipality of Ferreira do Alentejo, in Portugal. It was built on the riverbed of Odivelas River and came into operation in 1972. The water stored in the dam is mainly used for irrigation. The dam is 48 meters high and has a capacity of 96 million m³.

Paço dos Henriques (Henriques’s Palace), which is now owned by the Portuguese State and has been classified as a Building of Public Interest since 1993, belonged to the last lords of the town of Alcáçovas. According to tradition and local belief, this was once a royal palace, Ordered to be built by the Portuguese king Dom Dinis. This is a Place of Peace because it was there that took place the signature of the Alcáçovas-Toledo Treaty (also known as Alcáçovas’s Peace), that ended the Sucession War of Castile (1475-1479), where Afonso V of Portugal renounced the throne of Castile and King Fernando of Castile renounced the throne of Portugal. This Treaty also solved some issues related with the “new lands” discovered in the Atlantic Ocean, dividing them formally between Portugal and Castile. This explains the reason why this building is so important and emblematic, not only for Alcáçovas’ history, but for Portugal and the rest of the world.

Good route, there are some interesting things to visit