AN ITINERARY AROUND THE LAKE
1. MONSARAZ
Coordinates: 38° 26.610' N 7° 22.781' W
Known locally as Ninho das Águias (Eagles’ Nest) – is perched high above the border plains, a tiny village nestled into fortified walls close to the Spanish border. The views from the walls are magnificent: to the north and west, you survey a typically flat Alentejan plain of vineyards and olive groves, while to the south and east the Alqueva lake glitters far below the village. The village does its best to attract visitors with a series of little galleries, craft shops and restaurants, but it’s really the medieval castle, the churches, the higgledy-piggeldy streets and stunning views that keep people coming.
2. CROMELEQUE DO XAREX
Coordinates: 38° 27.206' N 7° 22.256' W
Megalithic monument composed of 52 menhirs in granite, all lined-up and of dimensions around 3.5 m high and 80 cm in diameter. Its layout is the result of an interpretative reconstruction. Due to the construction of the dam, it was relocated close to the Convento da Orada (Monsaraz) in 2003.
3. MOURÃO
Coordinates: 38° 22.973' N 7° 20.544' W
Mourão is situated on the left bank of the Guadiana River, near the border with Spain, a region of great natural beauty. The Castle occupies a dominant position on the ancient medieval village, where you can also visit the church Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Candeias built in the 17th century.
4. ALDEIA DA LUZ
Coordinates: 38° 20.681' N 7° 22.592' W
The old village of Luz (“light” in Portuguese) was completely submerged by the water of the Great Lake and a new village was rebuilt 3 kilometers away from the original location in 2002. To relocate the inhabitants of the village 3 different hypothesis were taken in consideration: indemnification, transfer of the inhabitants to a nearby village or reconstruction. The last hypothesis was the one preferred by the inhabitants. The new village was built in order to maintain the essential characteristics of the old one. The beautiful Museu da Luz narrates through photographs and videos the difficult moments when people had to leave the old village and restart their life in the new settlement (October-March 9h30-13h00 / 14h00-17h30. April-September: 10h00-13h00 / 14h00-18h00).
5. ALDEIA DA ESTRELA
Coordinates: 38° 16.115' N 7° 23.329' W
As a consequence of the construction of the dam, this peculiar village found itself situated in a peninsula surrounded by the waters of the Alqueva lake. It has a harbor that receives the boats coming from Amieira Marina. There is also a Parque de Merendas (Picnic Area) with tables, barbecues and shadow, also a good place for fishing.
6. MOURA
Coordinates: 38° 16.115' N 7° 23.329' W
The pleasantly provincial town of Moura, 50 km south of Monsaraz, is a surprisingly opulent place full of grand mansions, pretty squares and pedestrianized shopping streets. The Moors occupied the town from the eighth century until 1232 – an Arabic well still survives in the old town – and Moura is named after a Moorish maiden, Moura Saluquia, who ostensibly threw herself from the castle tower in despair when Christians murdered her betrothed and overran the town. But it was the discovery of naturally carbonated thermal springs in the late 19th century that prompted Moura’s eventual prosperity. The spa water still dribbles from the Fonte das Três Bicas (Fountain of Three Spouts), but the spa no longer operates. Nevertheless, the adjacent Jardim Doutor Santiago gardens make a very pleasant place to stroll, with lots of shady trees. Visit the castle, the Moorish quarter and the Olive Oil Museum.
7. THE ALQUEVA DAM
Coordinates: 38° 11.865' N 7° 29.781' W
You can have a walk on the dam admiring the view of the Guadiana River on both sides of it. You can also visit the CIAL - Alqueva Interpretation Centre, where you can find all relevant information about the ‘Alqueva project’ from the construction to the actual management of the infrastructure (open every day 10h00-13h00 / 14h00-17h00).
8. SÃO PEDRO DO CORVAL
Coordinates: 38° 26.784' N 7° 29.028' W
A typical Alentejo village, São Pedro do Corval is widely known as the center of handmade pottery. The village hosts the biggest clay-handicraftsman community of Portugal, with about 35 pottery factories.