Tourist Attractions in Estremoz
The little old world town of Estremoz lies 50km/31mi northeast of Évora, in the undulating landscape of the Alto Alentejo, and is particularly notable for the number of buildings made from the locally quarried white marble, which was already widely renowned in the Middle Ages. Estremoz is also important as a center for pottery, wood carving and leatherwork, although agriculture continues to be the main occupation.
Townscape
The older part of Estremoz is the upper town, with its picturesque narrow lanes clustered on the hill around the castle. The lower town, which goes back to the 16th C., is centerd on the "Rossio", the Praça do Marquês de Pombal, the enormous square where the principal weekly market is held on Saturdays, although there are usually a few stalls here throughout the week, selling the characteristic red Estremoz pottery.
Townscape
The older part of Estremoz is the upper town, with its picturesque narrow lanes clustered on the hill around the castle. The lower town, which goes back to the 16th C., is centerd on the "Rossio", the Praça do Marquês de Pombal, the enormous square where the principal weekly market is held on Saturdays, although there are usually a few stalls here throughout the week, selling the characteristic red Estremoz pottery.
Upper Town
The upper town, enclosed within 17th C. Vauban style fortifications with several massive towers, still has a rather Moorish aspect, and its whitewashed houses, with their small window openings, are designed to afford protection against the fierce heat of the summer.
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Barragem de Montargil
By the Barragem de Montargil, a 20km/12.5mi long artificial lake about 40km/25mi west of Avis, there is a holiday center built with the aid of German capital which offers extensive sporting facilities.
Castelo
The highest point of the town is the castle, the Castelo, built in the first half of the 13th C. All that remains of the original building is the massive keep, 27m/89ft high, and topped by splendid battlements. The royal palace was built onto this keep in the early 14th C. and, with the castle, served as the residence of King Dinis I and his wife, St Isabel, who died here in 1336 and is commemorated by a monument in the castle square. The palace was restored in the 18th C. and is now a luxurious pousada.
Igreja de Santa Maria do Castelo
Opposite the Castelo is the three aisled church of Santa Maria do Castelo which was built on the site of a Gothic predecessor in 1559 and contains two paintings of the Virgin by El Greco. Adjoining the church is the Manueline, but originally Gothic, royal audience chamber.
Municipal Museum
The castle square is also bordered to the south by the municipal museum (furniture, pottery, etc.).
Hours
May 1 to September 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | |
| Open | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | 15:00 | |
| Close | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 | 18:30 |
October 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 | 12:30 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Anniversity of the Revolution - Portugal (April 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
National Day - Portugal (June 10)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Republic Day - Portugal (October 5)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Independence Day - Portugal (December 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Anniversity of the Revolution - Portugal (April 25)
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
National Day - Portugal (June 10)
Assumption Day - Christian (August 15)
Republic Day - Portugal (October 5)
All Saints' Day - Christian (November 1)
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (December 8)
Independence Day - Portugal (December 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Good Friday - Christian (Apr 06)
Corpus Christi - Christian (Jun 10)
Redondo, Portugal
(Near Estremoz)
25km/16mi south of Estremoz on a road which runs through the Serra de Ossa (653m/2,142ft), passing the Convento da Berra, lies Redondo (alt. 305m/1,000ft), a pleasant little town with the ruins of a 14th C. castle built in the reign of King Dinis I and, higher up, the church of the Misericórdia, which has a Manueline choir.
Redondo Tourist Office
Museu do Vinho
Praça da República, 5-6
7170-011 Redondo
Redondo
Portugal
Museu do Vinho
Praça da República, 5-6
7170-011 Redondo
Redondo
Portugal
Sousel, Portugal
(Near Estremoz)
Sousel, 18km/11mi northwest of Estremoz, founded by Nuno Aàlvares Pereira in 1387, has a 16th C. parish church and another 16th C. church, the Misericórdia, with 18th C. azulejo decoration. The pousada in Sousel can be recommended for those seeking peace and quiet. It lies completely alone, surrounded by olive groves.
Tocha Palace
Adjoining the Rossio on the north is the Largo do General Graça with the 17th C. Tocha Palace (azulejo pictures) and the former Franciscan convent, originally 13th C., in which King Pedro I died in 1367. Although this is now used as a barracks the Gothic convent church can be visited.
Town Hall
At the southern end of the Rossio is the town hall, the Câmara Municipal, originally built (1698) as a convent, and containing fine azulejo depictions of scenes from the life of St Philippus.
Veiros, Portugal
(Near Estremoz)
The village of Veiros, 15km/9.25mi northeast of Estremoz, prides itself on having produced the Bragança line since it is the birthplace of Afonso, illegitimate son of King Joao I and later Duke of Bragança. Very little remains of the old castle.
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