Alentejo is a region of Portugal, a hot land of mild landscapes, with undulating wheat fields, extensive olive plantations and evergreen cork oaks and vineyards. Often you can hear or see the name Ribatejo: it is a former Portuguese province in the center of the country. The territory of Ribatejo, in accordance with the latest European administrative division, has been divided between the regions: Alentejo, Centrom and the Lisbon Region. Are you going to Portugal and want to discover Alentejo? Find out what to see and where to go, reveal Portuguese treasures off the tourist trail.
Castelo de Almourol
Castelo de Almourol is a medieval castle on an islet in the middle of the Tagus River. It is 26 kilometers away from Tomar. Almourol Castle was built around the 10th century, probably thanks to the Moors who occupied the Iberian Peninsula in the Middle Ages. When Christians came here in 1129, the castle already existed under the name Almorolan. The Castelo de Almourol was incorporated into the lands of the Templars and served as one of the main defensive points. It is open to visitors, the island can be reached by boat, for example from Tancos city or Barquinha.
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Golegã
The town of Golegã was founded in the times of the first kings of Portugal and has been associated for centuries mainly with the equestrian world. The houses here have white facades with yellow friezes typical of the Ribatejo region. In Golegã, visit Casa-Estúdio Carlos Relvas (home-museum of the famous Portuguese photographer). In the first half of November, the National Horse Fair (Feira Nacional do Cavalo) takes place here, and in the first half of May, thoroughbred horse shows. The Portuguese Nobel Prize winner for Literature José Saramago was born in the nearby town of Azinhaga.
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Quinta da Cardiga
Quinta da Cardiga is an abandoned mansion in central Portugal that is over 800 years old. Although the palace is closed with four triggers, you can feel that its interiors hide not only architectural treasures but also memories of other times. Curious people can enter the neglected property, walk along the road among the trees to see the remains of houses for servants, warehouses, vineyard, granary, stables, finally stop in front of the abandoned manor house to be amazed with its beauty… READ MORE
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