Attractions and Places To See around Évora Monte (Santa Maria) - Top 20

The view of the castle from the west is particularly impressive. There you can clearly see the fortress character with its protruding walls.

Fonte da Gadanha Square is dominated by Lake Gadanha. Next to it is the 13th-century Convento São Francisco, dating from the reign of King Afonso III, which served as a barracks after secularization. From here, you have a magnificent view up to the castle and the castle. The square is surrounded by other interesting monuments and fountains.

The famous statue of "Gadanha," located in the lake, originates from the Congregados Monastery and was only moved to the center of the lake in the mid-19th century. It originally represented the god Saturn, a symbol of abundance. The inscription on the base reads: "Time passes quickly."

The Serra d’Ossa Walkways run along the verdant valley of the Ribeira do Monte Virgem, along steep schist cliffs, between the village of Aldeia da Serra and the imposing Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte da Virgem, preceded by a long (and steep) staircase with approximately 300 steps. Although the Serra d’Ossa Walkways only opened in April 2021, they are already one of the must-see places in the Alentejo for all nature lovers. After all, walking along them allows you to discover a very different side of this region in the south of Portugal, more associated with vast plains than with steep cliffs. The Serra d’Ossa Walking Trail is only 1.5 km long (3 km round trip), which makes it a great walk to do with children. Not only because it is relatively short, but above all because it does not have significant differences in height, with the exception of the section of the staircase that precedes the Church of Nossa Senhora do Monte da Virgem. ( www.vagamundos.pt )

If you've ever been curious about the origin of the cork in your wine bottle, or questioned the composition of the notice board hanging in your workspace, then this guide is specifically designed to answer your queries. The cork oak, or Quercus suber, is a fascinating tree species that primarily grows in the Mediterranean region. Its unique bark is the source of the world's cork supply, a material that is used in a multitude of applications, from wine stoppers to insulation. In this all-encompassing guide, we will thoroughly investigate the mysteries of the cork oak, examining its native surroundings, its significance in the financial structures of Portugal and Spain, and the multitude of its applications. We will also take a close look at the cork production process, including the art of cork harvesting and the fascinating phenomenon of cork regeneration. Portugal and Spain stand as the global frontrunners in cork production, and much like the white oak of North America, the cork oak occupies a distinct position within the cultural and economic fabric of these nations. In Portugal, the montado landscapes are deeply intertwined with rural life, providing a source of income for many communities through cork production and other activities such as farming and beekeeping. In Portugal, the Montado landscapes are similarly important, with the cork oak providing a range of resources including cork, acorns for livestock, and wood for charcoal production. The cork industry in these countries is a significant employer, providing jobs in areas such as harvesting, processing, and manufacturing. Agroforestry, the practice of combining agriculture with forestry, is a key aspect of sustainable cork production. In the montado and dehesa landscapes of Portugal and Spain, cork oaks are grown alongside crops and livestock, creating a diverse and productive landscape. This form of land use not only provides a range of resources, including cork, food, and timber, but also supports a rich biodiversity and helps to conserve soil and water resources. This illustrates a prime instance of how humanity can coexist harmoniously with nature, utilizing resources sustainably.

The Estremoz Castle was built in a dominant position on a hill to the north of the Serra de Ossa, in the city of Estremoz, in the district of Évora, in Alentejo, Portugal. It is a pentagonal castle with a walled enclosure, reinforced by buttresses that rise around the Torre de Menagem, a spectacular tower built in white marble, 27 metres high. It is believed that the construction of this monumental tower lasted through three reigns: D. Afonso IV, D. Pedro and D. Fernando, and, for this reason, it is known as the Torre das Três Coroas. Beyond the medieval wall, the town of Estremoz has a vast expanse of fortifications from the epic Restoration War, where the towers with battlements and two arched gates stand out, next to which there is a rectangular tower in the Roman-Gothic style, with several windows.

Estremoz Castle was raised in a dominant position over a hill, up North to the Sierra de Ossa, in the city of Estremoz, inside the district of Évora, in Alentejo, Portugal. It is a castle with a pentagonal floor, with a walled enclosure reinforced with buttress which raises around the Torre de Menagem Keep, an spectacular tower made in white marble and 27 metres height. It is believed that the works for this monumental tower occurred during the reigns D. Alfonso IV, D. Pedro and D. Fernando. That is why it is known as Torres das Três Coroas (The Tower of the Three Crowns). Besides the Medieval fence, the city of Estremoz counts with a vast fortified area from the epic Guerra da Restaruação (Restoration War), where you can distinguish the battlemented towers and two arch doors, and a rectangular tower with Roman-Gothic style with several windows.

Estremoz is the “white city” of the Alentejo. It can be recognized from afar by its white houses, spread out along a hill, surrounded by old walls and protected, in times gone by, by the imposing Torre de Menagem. The people of Estremoz are friendly and hospitable, like all the people of the Alentejo. The epithet of “white city” is due, in addition to the color of the houses, to the deposits of white marble, the famous “Estremoz Marble”, which made the city internationally famous. The extraction of this raw material in the Alentejo makes Portugal the second largest exporter in the world, with Estremoz contributing around 90% of the total marble. Consider visiting one of these deposits on a trip to the country.