Attractions and Places To See around Estremoz (Santo André) - Top 20

The pousada is a castle built by King Dionysius for Queen Elizabeth of Portugal in the 13th century. It is located in the heart of the old town and is considered one of the most beautiful pousadas in Portugal.

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

Unfortunately, access to the viewing platform and the statue will be closed in May 2025.

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."

Queen Saint Isabel of Aragon (1270-1336), wife of King D. Diniz (1261-1325), died in the Castle of Estremoz, at the age of 66, on July 4, 1336, from a sudden illness that occurred while she was heading to the border on a mission to bring peace between her son, D. Afonso IV (1291-1357), and her grandson, Alfonso XI of Castile (1311-1350). Against everyone's advice, D. Afonso wanted to fulfill his mother's purpose of being buried in the Monastery of Santa Clara. The long journey took place under the blazing July sun and, to everyone's amazement, despite the intense heat, the coffin gave off such a pleasant perfume that "no one had ever seen such a noble odour", as can be read in her first anonymous biography, known as “Legend or Relation”, written immediately after her death by someone who had been close to her, probably her confessor, Friar Salvado Martins, Bishop of Lamego, or one of the owners of Santa Clara who looked after her during her widowhood. The virtues of the Queen, later considered a Saint, were the reason for her beatification by Leo X (1475-1521) in 1516, with authorisation for her worship to be restricted to the Diocese of Coimbra. In 1556, Pope Paul IV (1476-1559) extended the Elizabethan devotion to the entire Kingdom of Portugal. It would be Pope Urban VIII (1568-1664), given the incorruption of the body and the report of miracles, who would proclaim in 1625, the canonization of Isabella of Aragon as a Holy Queen.

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.