Page 311 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

STAY

16th-century Igreja Matriz. Salúquia, daughter of a Casa do Adro
The highly carved Manueline Moorish gover nor, is said to This charming family
entrance to this fortified have thrown herself from the home in the centre of
church leads into a majestic castle tower on learning that the old town has neatly
triple-naved interior. her lover had been killed. decorated guest rooms,
Ten minutes’ walk east of From this tragedy, the town some with terraces or
the town stands the pil grimage acquired its name – Moura, balconies. The owner
church of Nossa Senhora de the Moorish girl. The town’s plies her guests with
Aires, rebuilt in the 1700s. The old Moorish quarter is a tangle homemade cakes
chancel’s golden canopy con- of narrow streets. and juices.
trasts with pilgrims’ humble Even after the Reconquest
ex votos. Every April, hundreds in the 12th century, Moura’s ! D6 ⌂ Rua Diário de
of people participate in the frontier position left it open Notícias 10, Vila Nova
de Milfontes
Moita–Viana do Alentejo Horse to attack. A siege in 1657, ∑ casadoadro.com.pt
Pilgrimage. Originally of a reli- during the War of Restoration,
gious nature, the event today levelled much of it. The 13th- ¡¡¡
has become more of a festival. century castle survived, only
The Moorish-style castle at to be blown up by the Spanish Casa da Muralha
Alvito, 10 km (6 miles) south of in 1707 – just a skeletal keep Right by the town
Viana, was built in 1482; it is and wall remain. walls of historic Serpa,
now a pousada. The Lagar de Varas do this wonderfully
Fojo, a former 19th-century traditional guesthouse
olive press, is now home to has its own pretty
20 a small museum. On display courtyard garden.
is a number of traditional
Moura wooden and stone-wheel ! F6 ⌂ Rua das Portas
de Beja 43, Serpa
presses, some dating from
! F6 @ n Inside the castle; ∑ www.casa
285 251 375 the 14th century. muralha.net
Legend mingles with history Lagar de Varas do Fojo ¡¡¡
in this quiet town nestled ⌂ Rua de São João de Deus
among oak and olive trees. § 285 253 978 # Tue–Sun
311

310-311_EW_Portugal.indd 311 20/09/2018 17:01