Tourist Attractions in Vila Vicosa

Vila Viçosa is about 55km/34mi northeast of Évora, on the slopes of hills covered with orchards. It was at one time the seat of the Dukes of Bragança, and several kings from the same house, but with the abolition of the monarchy in 1910 it declined into provincial obscurity. The economy of the region depends on marble quarrying.

Read More Paço Ducal

Tourists can take a guided tour of the Paço Ducal, the palace of the Dukes of Bragança, which contains 16th to 19th C artworks.

Alandroal, Portugal

(Near Vila Vicosa)

The village of Alandroal, with the ruins of one of King Dinis's 13th C. castles, is about 10km/6mi south of Vila Viçosa. There is an impressive fountain in the market square.

Address

Alandroal Tourist Office
Câmara Municipal do Alandroal
Praça da República
7250-116 Alandroal
Alandroal
Portugal

Read More Borba, Portugal

(Near Vila Vicosa)

Castelo

The massive battlemented castle, or Castelo, that looms over the town, was built by King Dinis in the 13th C. and reinforced with bastions in the 17th. Visitors can walk around the ramparts surrounding the old town. Within the ramparts can be found the Renaissance da Conceiçao church and a hunting museum.

Igreja de Santa Cruz

Adjoining the 16th C. Igreja de Santa Cruz in the town center is a small museum of sacred art.

Pelourinho

There is a 16th C. pelourinho on the main road near the castle.

Porta dos Nós

The Porta dos Nós is the eyecatching "knot gate" north of the palace on the Borba road. It was part of the old 16th C. wall round the town and is the entrance to the 5,000 acre Tapada, once the royal deerpark, where the Portuguese royal family hunted until early this century.

Terena

Above Terena, 10km/6mi farther south from Alandroal, are the ruins of another medieval castle, with panoramic views.