On the northwest side of the bleak Serra de Sao Mameda, clustering in steps and stairs around the hilltop on which stands its castle, Castelo de Vide is 20km/12.5mi north of Portalegre, near the Spanish frontier. Although one of Portugal's most picturesque places, tourism is still within reasonable bounds, and the townsfolk mostly still earn their living from agriculture and handicrafts, as well as from visitors to the cold mineral springs containing Glauber's salt and taken for the treatment of diabetes and skin and liver ailments.
Townscape
Castelo de Vide has managed to preserve its medieval townscape virtually intact, with its picturesque maze of narrow streets and trim whitewashed houses with their characteristic chimneys, and many charming little squares and nooks and corners. Flowers are everywhere and just about every house in the old town center is resplendent with window boxes and rows of flowerpots.
From the Praça de Dom Pedro V signs point the way along picturesque lanes up to the Castelo do Sao Roque, built in 1327 on the remains of a Moorish castle, from which an ingenious ventilation system still survives. Its massive keep was damaged by an explosion in 1705 but can still be climbed to obtain superb views over the town and countryside. Within the castle perimeter stands the church of Nossa Senhora da Alegria, completely covered with 17th C. azulejos.
Address: Castelo de Vide, Praça D. Pedro V 7320-113 Castelo de Vide, , Portugal
Northeast of the Praça de Dom Pedro, in the opposite direction to the castle at the other end of Castelo de Vide, and reached via gardens and the "Fonte do Montorinho" fountain, is the former Franciscan convent, the Convento de Sao Francisco, now a home for the visually handicapped.
Just left of the exit from the castle is the old Jewish quarter, the Judiaria, where time seems to have stood still. The narrow steep alleyways are pedestrian only. Many of the little houses have fine Gothic and Manueline windows and doors. Easily viewable, the 14th C. synagogue on the main street is barely distinguishable from the other houses. The main street ends in an attractive square with the covered Renaissance town fountain, the Fonte da Vile.
The little town of Nisa, 25km/15mi northwest of Castelo de Vide, has a 13th century ruined castle, the remains of its walls, with two 14th century towers, and a fine Baroque parish church.
Address: Nisa, Praça da República 6050-350 Nisa, , Portugal
The center of Castelo de Vide, and the best starting point for a walk round the town, is the Praça de Dom Pedro V, a well-proportioned square bounded by Baroque palaces, churches and the town hall with a statue of Dom Pedro V in the middle. Dominating the square is the Baroque church of Santa Maria with its squat pyramidal central tower.
To the west of Nisa flows the Ribeira de Nisa, a tributary of the Tagus, which is dammed about 10km/6mi southeast of the town to form the Barragem da Póvoa.
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Nisa, Portugal
Castelo de Vide, Portalegre
