Last year we enjoyed a visit to Portalegre and afterwards drove back to the Pousada at Flor de Rosa via the scenic route – through the countryside behind Portalegre – the Sao Mamede Park. It was May and the yellow and white brooms were flowering everywhere – it was gorgeously beautiful!
The coffee break was in Alegrete, a peaceful hilltop village in the middle of the Park, and close to the Spanish border. As a result of its location it is walled, with a castle. One story tells that this was a Moorish castle, reconquered by a Portuguese King in the 12C; another says it was built (or rebuilt) in the 13C by the Portuguese.
Over the years we have dipped in and out of the Sao Mamede Park but I think it would be a good area to stay in a holiday house because there is a lot to see and do in the area. Way back in 2013 we visited the Roman site of Ammaia, founded as a city in 1C and a lot more archaeological work may have taken place since then. In the 5C-9C the city declined and the Moors moved up the mountain, into Marvão.
I haven’t been back to Marvão for several years, during which time several international festivals have been created in the town. José Saramago wrote a wonderful book ‘Journey to Portugal’, in which he says: ‘..From Marvão one can see the entire land. It is understandable that from this place, high up in the keep at Marvão Castle, visitors may respectfully murmur, ‘How great is the world.’ ..’.
An interesting walk starts at the bottom of the hill, in Portagem, the PR1 in the Sao Mamede Park.
Another lovely walk sets out from Galegos – the Coffee Smugglers Route, which I wrote about in 2016. And every year, if possible, we walk on the Mediaeval Road out of Carreiras – post to come!
Further information
Walks in Portugal
Heyjude
Wonderful images Candy. The one with the deep pink and white roses(?) is so beautiful withe the olive and fig trees – so Mediterranean. This is a very interesting area and thanks for showing it to us.
Candy Blackham
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to read. Portugal is an amazing place, particularly if you take time to understand something of the history, and of course taking the time to stroll is essential. Even gentle walks work up a daytime thirst for coffee and a little something sweet…!
Candy Blackham
Thank you! All these places depend so much on what you want from travel, don’t they? If you enjoy old buildings and exploring museums and churches then Portalegre is marvellous. If you want zip and zing and excitement then you would be disappointed. And you must be prepared to try different food and drink, and listen to people – of course I don’t mean ‘you’ personally, but ‘one’, and I think that this is already your approach to travel.
wanderessence1025
This looks like yet another fabulous place to visit in Portugal, Candy. Your pictures are beautiful. 🙂