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The
Pousadas of Portugal - Pousadas de Alentejo
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 Alentejo
is a south-central region of Portugal. Its name's origin, "além
do Tejo", literally translates to "beyond the Tagus". The region is separated
from the rest of Portugal by the Tagus river, and extends to the south
where it borders the Algarve. There are five sub-regions; the Alto (High)
Alentejo, the Baixo (Lower) Alentejo, the Alentejo Central, the Alentejo
Litoral, and Lezíria do Tejo. Its main cities are Évora (region's
capital), Santarém (formerly belonging to Ribatejo region), Portalegre,
Beja, and Sines. Topographically the countryside varies considerably,
from the open rolling plains of the south of the Alentejo to the granite
hills that border Spain in the north-east. To feed the water needs of this
considerable area a number of public dams have been constructed, most notably
the Alqueva Dam. To the east of Portalegre is the Parque Natural
da Serra de São Mamede, a Nature Park Area that includes charming
medieval villages that have changed very little from those days. In the
south near Mértola is another Nature Park Area named Parque Natural
do Vale Guadiana. This is mainly uninhabited and a contrast to the other
above. To the west, the coastal strip that runs from the port of Sines
down to Cape de São Vicente is also a reserved area. The area
is commonly known as the "bread basket" of Portugal, a region of vast open
countryside with undulating plains and rich fertile soil. With very few
exceptions all the major towns are mainly reliant on agriculture, livestock
and wood. There are several types of typical cheeses, wines and smoked
hams and sausages made in Alentejo region, among these: Queijo de Serpa,
Queijo de Évora and Queijo de Nisa (cheeses); Vinho do Alentejo
and Vinho do Redondo (wines); and presunto (ham). Marble, cork, olive oil
and mining industries are other important activities in the region. |
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Pousada
de Álcacer do Sal Dom Afonso II, Álcacer do Sal
- Historic Design Pousada
Set in a thousand year old
castle overlooking the valley where cork, rice and pine-nuts are produced.
Pousada de Alcacer do Sal - D. Afonso II is located not far from Lisbon,
in the Álcacer do Sal castle. At this site, with 5000 years of History,
that go back to the later Neolithic period, we come across a variety of
important cultural remains, such as Phoenician, Arab or even Roman. This
Pousada overlooks the river Sado, which runs through a vast green valley.
Alcácer do Sal was conquered by many different peoples. Before the
Roman occupation it was called Eviom and had trade with the Mediterranean
countries. The Romans called it Salatia Urbs Imperatoria, bearing the coin
stamp and with the same rights as the cities of Antigo Lácio.
Alcácer also was capital city of the Visigothic municipality, it
was dominated by the Arabs at the end of the 8th century and then became
one of the most important trade cities in the peninsula. It was conquered
by the Vikings at the end of the 10th century. D. Afonso Henriques,
the first king of Portugal, tried to conquer it in 1158, but it only became
a Portuguese village in 1217 with King Afonso II. |
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Pousada
de Alvito, Castelo de Alvito, Alvito
- Historic Pousada
Unusual 15th century castle
in the village of Alvito. Pousada de Alvito - Castelo de Alvito With
the restoration of an unusual 15th century castle in the village of Alvito,
the beautiful Alvito Pousada was born. It honours the culture of the region,
not only by its atmosphere, but also by its traditional gastronomy and
wines. What used to be the agricultural land of a medieval castle, is now
a superb garden. Reconstructed, the dependences of the castle are
one of the Pousadas de Portugal , inaugurated in 1993. The castle
is presented as a building of military architecture and residence, where
if they identify Islamic gothic and manuelina influences. |
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Pousada
de Arraiolos - Nossa Senhora da Assuncao Arraiolos - Historic
Design Pousada
Restored sixteenth century
convent situated in a valley in Arraiolos. Pousada de Arraiolos -
Nossa Sra. Assuncao The starting point for the Pousada was the restoration
of a sixteenth century convent situated in a valley in Arraiolos a city
that is world-famous for its carpets. The Pousada is an example of the
achievement of perfect harmony between the traditional and modern concepts
of Portuguese architecture and a felicitous example of adapting the austerity
of a convent to today's standards of comfort. A wonderful excuse to get
to know the traditional art of carpet-making. |
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Pousada
de Beja - Sao Francisco - Historic Pousada
former 13th century Franciscan
Convent in the heart of the historical centre of Beja. Pousada de
Beja - Sao Francisco In the former 13th century Franciscan Convent located
in the heart of the historical centre of the Alentejo town of Beja, we
find this impressive Pousada. Combining the mystic monument with the needs
of today's standards of well-being and comfort, the São Francisco
Pousada, with its magnificent cuisine, allows guests to relax both body
and mind. The first records of S. Francis Convent, date from the
10th November of 1268, marking the donation of lands, for its construction,
from Paio Pires to Lopo Esteves. In 1304, according to the legend,
D. Dinis ordered the construction of a chapel in honor to Saint Louis,
Tolosa Bishop, for his help during a bear attack that occurred in hunting
near the Guadiana River (area of Baleizão). In the 17th /18th
century, the first remodelling work took place, in the refectory and in
the cloister. With the extinguish of the religious orders in 1834, the
convent was profaned and most of its golden plate altars where transferred
to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. |
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Pousada
do Crato - Flor da Rosa, Crato -
Historic
Design Pousada
A castle, a convent and
a palace, former Knights of the Order of Malta's monastery. Pousada
de Crato - Flor da Rosa - A castle, a convent and a palace, built in different
periods, were the origin of this ecclesiastical architectural work of outstanding
harmony. The former Knights of the Order of Malta's monastery, is surrounded
in medieval mystic. Flor da Rosa Pousada manages to combine the genuine
characteristics of the convent, highlighting them with an architectural
project, which although modern, entirely respects its origins. Built
on eminently defensive line, this palace-cum-monastery has architectural
features, such as towers, window slites and solid block construction, which
give it the appearance more of a fort than a monastic house. |
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Pousada
de Elvas - Santa Luzia, Elvas - Charming Pousada
Pousada de Elvas - Santa
Luzia Opened in 1942, the Santa Luzia Pousada was the first of the Pousadas
de Portugal and is a fine example of typical Alentejo architecture. Today,
it offers its guests not only all possible comfort but also the best Alentejo
cuisine, especially the renowned bacalhau dourado (golden codfish), or
its famous dish of pork trotters in a coriander marinade. |
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Pousada
de Estremoz - Rainha Santa Isabel, Estremoz - Historic
Pousada
The castle of Estremoz is
the result of the restoration of the magnificent Palace that King D. Diniz
built for his wife, Queen Santa Isabel. The high quality of building materials
used, has been completed with the finest decor including museum pieces.
From the private palace gardens and swimming pool surrounded by battlements,
you have the most superb view over the city of Estremoz and the vast Alentejo
plain. |
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Pousada
de Évora Lóios, Évora - Historic
Pousada
In the heart of historic
the centre of Évora, a city classified by UNESCO as World Heritage,
stands the Pousade de Évora - Lóios, originally a convent
and one of Évora's most precious architectural buildings. Staying
at the Pousada de Évora - Lóios is reliving history itself
in each stone, each glance and each object. |
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Pousada
de Marvão - Santa Maria Marvão - Historic
Design Pousada
Almost 1000 meters above
sea level, the Hotel Pousada de Marvao is situated in the unspoilt 13th
century Marvao in the Alentejo region of Portugal. Pousada de Marvao
- Santa Maria. The small traditional houses of Marvão, a medieval
town with walls dating from the thirteenth century, seem to squeeze the
narrow little streets that wind between them. The two village houses that
have been comfortably converted into a Pousada offer an exceptionally beautiful
panorama from the reception rooms and certain bedrooms. |
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Pousada
de Santa Clara-a-Velha, Santa Clara-a-Velha - Nature
Pousada
Near the beaches of the
coast of S. Vicente, surrounded by a breathtaking mountain landscape and
close to Santa Clara dam, you will find the Pousada de Santa Clara-a-Velha.
The view from its balconies and swimming pool gives you the tranquility
and relaxation you need. Its peacefulness is ideal for shooting, fishing,
water sports or even for a rest in perfect harmony with nature. |
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Pousada
de Santiago do Cacém - Quinta da Ortiga, Santiago do Cacém
- Nature Pousada
This Pousada near the beautiful,
almost deserted, Atlantic beaches of the Alentejo coast in Southern Portugal.
This Pousada de Santiago do Cacém is located in a typical Alentejo
farm estate, a few minutes from Santiago do Cacém and the São
Vicente Coast beaches. It has a beautiful chapel and it is encircled in
a magnificent landscape crossed by a refreshing river, terraced gardens
and a swimming pool are located where the former watering reservoir used
to be. This Pousada's concept is based on its peaceful rural atmosphere,
altough there are interesting cultural-historic sites nearby, such as Santiago
castle or the Miróbriga Roman ruins, the largest and most complete
ruins South of the Tagus river. |
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Pousada
de Sousel - São Miguel, Sousel - Nature Pousada
Situated on a hill overlooking
the vast Alentejo plains, stands the white-painted walls and peaceful Pousada
de Sousel - São Miguel, with its cinegetic interior designs that
is always waiting for the shooting, leisure and unique rich cuisine lovers.
Sousel has the oldest bullring in Portugal. Located near the Maranhão
dam, it is also ideal for fishing and water sports. |
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Pousada
de Torrão - Vale do Gaio, Torrão - Nature
Pousada
Set in an idyllic location,
the Hotel Pousada do Torrao overlooks the Vale do Gaio Dam in the Alentejo
plains of Portugal. In the heart of the Alentejo region, 30 km from
Alcácer do Sal and over the Vale do Gaio dam, stands the beautiful
Pousada of Torrão. It is the perfect place for shooting, fishing
nature and water sports lovers, as well asfor gastronomics buffs. The sunsets
at the terrace, overlooking the dam make your stay at this Pousada unforgettable. |
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Pousada
de Vila Viçosa - Dom João IV, Vila Viçosa
- Historic Pousada
The Pousada de D. João
IV is set in the former Convent of Chagas de Cristo in the historical village
of Vila Viçosa. Very characteristic with its intricate themed rooms,
full of legends and tales, the Pousada has kept intact the convent cells,
the retreats and the oratories built by the nuns. You can also appreciate
the exquisite conventual recipes. |
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of Alentejo] [
Pousadas
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Pousadas
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Pousadas
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Pousadas
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Pousadas
of Northern Portugal]
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