Page 309 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

betrothal to Fernando I’s castle seems overwhelmed by
daughter, and unleashed their GREAT VIEW the town walls and looming
wrath on Monsaraz. Castle Keep 16th­century Igreja do
Principal access to the town Climb to the top of the Salvador. Typically, houses in
is through the massive Porta keep of Monsaraz’s Arraiolos are low and white,
da Vila. Rua Direita, the main castle for glorious views and are painted with a blue
street, leads up to the castle. of olive groves in one trim to ward off the devil.
Built by Afonso III and Dinis in direction and the The principal sight, however,
the 13th century as part of the stunning, sparkling is of women stitching their
border defences, it was rein­ waters of the Barragem bright wool rugs in shadowy
forced in the 17th century. The de Alqueva in the other. rooms behind the main street.
keep commands glorious views Carpets have been woven in
and at its foot is the garrison Arraiolos since the 13th century
courtyard, which today serves Near Monsaraz are a number and decorate countless manor
on occasion as a bullring. of striking megaliths. The houses and palaces through­
The 16th­century Igreja spec tacular Menhir of Outeiro, out Portugal. The craft may
Matriz in Rua Direita is worth standing 5.6 m (18 ft) tall, and have begun with the Moors,
visiting for its tall gilded altars the strangely inscribed Menhir but floral designs of the
and painted pillars. The 17th­ of Belhôa are both sign posted 18th century are thought to
and 18th­century houses along in Telheiro, just to the north be the finest. As well as
here display coats of arms. In of Monsaraz. browsing the town’s carpet
the Gothic Paços da Audiência, shops, you can visit the Centro
now the Museu de Arte Sacra, Museu de Arte Sacra Interpre tativo do Tapete to
is a collection of vestments, " ⌂ Largo Dom Nuno discover more about this craft.
religious books and sculpture. Álvares Pereira § 266 508
Its earlier role as a law court is 040 # Tue–Sun Centro Interpretativo
reflected in an unusual secular do Tapete
fresco: O Bom e o Mau Juiz (The ⌂ Praça do Município 19
Good and Bad Judge). 16 # 10am–1pm, 2–6pm Tue–
Surrounded by vineyards, Sun ∑ tapetedearraiolos.pt
Reguengos de Monsaraz, 16 km Arraiolos
(10 miles) west, lies at the heart ! E5 @ n Praça do
of one of the region’s demar­ Município; 266 490 254
cated wine areas. São Pedro
do Corval, 5 km (3 miles) east The foundation of Arraiolos Did You Know?
of Reguengos de Monsaraz, is is attributed either to Celts
one of Portugal’s greatest or perhaps to local tribes in The design of Arraiolos
centres for pottery. about 300 BC. Its 14th­century rugs was inspired by
Persian carpets.

Embroidered wool
rugs hung up in the
streets of Arraiolos
309

308-309_EW_Portugal.indd 309 20/09/2018 10:42