Although one can not say whether a primitive village was abandoned and reoccupied, or if your Christian stand was late, it is certain that Vila Viçosa received from D. Afonso III (1248-1279) its a charter, last on 5 June 1270. will date from this time, the start of construction of his castle, his son and successor, King Dinis (1279-1325), will give an effective boost, ending his building and making pry around the village.

In the reign of D. Fernando I (1367-1383), as has been done in many castles of the kingdom, has made significant improvements in Vila Viçosa fortification.

Henceforth the Vila Viçosa Palace was only a hunting lodge and recreation for the family of its owners, now masters of the throne of Portugal. D. João IV but maintained the independence of the House of Braganza in relation to the Crown and is designed for the primogeniture of the heir to the throne. In the eighteenth century, King João V also made some improvements (chapel, kitchen and flags of the new rooms), following its visits to Vila Viçosa, in particular for the so-called exchange of princesses (wedding of Prince D.José with a Infanta Spain and the Prince of Asturias with the Infanta Dona Maria Barbara), which took place on the border of Caia, in 1729. Also D.Maria I even made some improvements, adding the body of the Dining Rooms and glasses. Finally, in the late nineteenth century, the old Palace would still be subject to some works, fruit of the predilection that the Kings D.Carlos and D.Amelia had for him. D.Carlos much appreciated Calipolense Palace, here passing long periods of time, when promoted with your friends (rarely brought officers invited to Vila Viçosa) big game hunting in the extensive Tapada Ducal.

Indeed, it was in this palace that King D.Carlos slept his last night before he was assassinated in February 1, 1908 (saving up intact since his chambers). In the last reign, Vila Viçosa palace also welcomed the visit of King Alfonso XIII of Spain to D.Manuel II in February 1909.

The proclamation of the Republic in 1910

After the proclamation of the republic in 1910, Vila Viçosa Palace and all the goods of the House of Braganza, remained in the possession of King Dom Manuel II, being family property of the King and not the state. In 1933, following the testamentary dispositions of D. Manuel II (died 1932), the Palace was part of the House of Braganza Foundation, which opened its doors to the public as a museum. At that time the Palace yet received most of the movable property, works of art and the precious library of the exiled king (from London residence).

The Palace features a large collection of works of art (paintings, furniture, sculpture, etc ..), being particularly noble rooms of the first floor, examples of which are the rooms of Medusa, the Dukes (with pictures of all the dukes up the eighteenth century) on the ceiling) and Hercules, many of them ennobled with beautiful stoves carved marble room. Remain particularly alive in the palace the memories of the last two reigns (fruit of the special love that he had for the sovereign), as can be seen in the royal apartments and numerous examples of artistic work of King D.Carlos (watercolors and pastel). The kitchen has one of the largest collections of kitchen batteries, copper. Are still highlight the Library (with very precious copies) and the armory. In the old stables is installed a section of the National Coach Museum, where among other carriages, you can admire the landau carrying the Royal Family on the regicide.

In 1461, Vila Viçosa came to the hands of the House of Braganza, one of the most important houses of nobility of Portugal. This event was crucial in the history of the village, which became the main base of the Dukes of Braganza in the next centuries. The Dukes had considerable wealth and greatly promoted the economic, urban and artistic development of the village.

In 1502 the building of the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa was begun, sponsored by Jaime, fourth Duke of Braganza. Jaime was a skilled military leader who later led the Portuguese to victory against a Moorish army in the Battle of Azamor, in Morocco. The Ducal Palace was greatly remodelled between the 16th and 17th centuries in a sober late Renaissance(Mannerist) style, and was decorated through the centuries by several artists. The Dukes also sponsored artistic campaigns in several churches and monasteries in the village.

When Duke John became King John IV, in 1640, the House of Braganza moved to the capital Lisbon, and many of the riches of the Ducal Palace were transferred to the Ribeira Palace. Vila Viçosa became a vacation spot for the members of the Braganza family. This marks the beginning of a period of decay for Vila Viçosa.

The Lisbon Earthquake of 1755

In 1755, Vila Viçosa was badly shaken by the earthquake of 1755. In the early nineteenth century, Vila Viçosa was looted during the Napoleonic wars.

The Republic of 1910

With the proclamation of the Republic on 5 October 1910, Vila Viçosa fell into decay due to the objective of Republicans to erase all traces of the monarchy. However, in the 1930s, with the exploitation of marble (Marble Estremoz) and opening of Vila Viçosa Ducal Palace for tourism, Vila Viçosa began to change until the present day. Today, as with many Alentejo cities, its population is decreasing, whose principal factor is the emigration to other regions of Portugal or abroad.

Church of the Convent Lóios in Arraiolos. Tile panels that completely cover the walls are by Gabriel del Barco

Endovelicus has a temple in San Miguel Mota, Alentejo, Portugal, and there are numerous inscriptions and ex-votos dedicated to him in the National Museum of Ethnology. The cult of Endovelicus survived until the fifth century until Christianity spread in the region.

There are two shrines dedicated to God Endovelicus, who have been primitive, located in Rock Mine and a second later this situated on top of the hill of S. Miguel da Mota, both in Alandroal county.

Sanctuary of Rocha da Mina

The Shrine of Mine Rock, is very simple and primitive, Manuel Calado describes the shrine as rock implanted in a rocky spur with abrupt slopes, the living area is greatly reduced. The stairs and floors carved in the rock are recurring elements in a relatively high number of pre-Roman shrines, some of which Romanized, and are often interpreted as sacrificial altars. This type of monuments is known in the Spanish Meseta and in northern Portugal, in areas that have experienced a stronger Celtic influences.

Sanctuary of São Miguel Mota

The sanctuary of San Miguel Mota, whose name is due to the fact that with the implementation of the Catholic religion on the peninsula pagan worship God Endovelicus have been replaced by the cult of St. Michael, it is a temple of the Roman era. As you know, the Romans throughout their Romanization process in addition to bring their culture and religion to people who would romanizando were also enjoying and absorbing the local cults. So Endovelicus, was also a god worshiped by the Romans as evidenced by ex-votos found in this sanctuary.

It seems that São Miguel Mota is an “invention” of the Romans, and that the Mine Rock is a sanctuary of a Celtic god.

The completion of the Mora River Aquarium aimed at creating a single equipment in Portugal, scientific, cultural and leisure, recreating the aquatic universe, consolidate an educational and environmental aspects.

All the exhibitions, displaying through living and dynamic models is an asset in the seizure of large and comprehensive knowledge related to the perception of the importance of biodiversity and associated ecological wealth of nature conservation programs. As local development pole, the FLU allowed value the County through the creation of new direct and indirect jobs, contributing to the reduction of regional disparities and boosting the local economy.

With a single stroke, which is thought to be the Custos Vieira architect, the temple is an example of the palatine architecture located at the eastern end of the Palace of Passagens.

Its main façade has a small niche with a San Antonio image that is believed to have been brought from the old Chapel of S. Fernando / S. António do Outeiro. Inside, it is composed of a single nave, altar, baptistery, real oratory and the sacristy.

It is noteworthy also the background of the main altar covered with a barrel vault, with paintings done in the style of John V, which are represented perhaps the four evangelists, surrounded by wreaths and medallions with some Latin couplets.

The continuous paneling of blue and white tiles all around the chapel, with about 1.80 m high, is made up of different figurative panels, which can be dated to 1750, but one with the image of Santa Barbara, patron saint artillery, dating from 1972.

On the altar there are two images, one of Our Lady of Conception in upholstered wood, end of the century. XVII and other Santa Barbara, brought on crossing the chapel to the Army field.

Near the sacristy lies the Oratory Real, where royals attended Mass, and other storage rooms.

The chapel was from 1843 to 1969 church of New Sales and currently despite belonging to the Artillery School in it are performed weddings and Mass occasionally.

Understood in the territory on the left bank of the Guadiana river, stands in a dominant position on the ancient medieval village. Its walls unveil up the surrounding plain with the Monsaraz Castle to the north, and the border with Spain in the east.

After the Portuguese conquest of the region, their fields were donated to the Knights Hospitaller, being assigned to your Prior, Gonçalo Egas, the grant of the first a charter to the town, in order to encourage their settlement and defense (1226). Will date from this period, under the reign of Sancho II (1223-1248), the construction or reconstruction of the fortification.

A new charter was granted to the town by King Afonso III (1248-1279) in 1254.

Under the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325), the Mourao village received a new charter (1296), confirmed in 1298. In this period, the original castle was renovated, starting to count with three towers.

In one of the buttresses of Portel saw, stands in a dominant position on the medieval village. Nearby worth visiting, beyond the castle, the Church of the True Cross, the caves of Algar and the Alqueva dam.

Construction work started then, have continued under the reign of King Dinis (1279-1325), when, after late prime, emerging feud between the heirs for possession of honor, the castle reverted to the possession of the Crown, by barter between the sovereign and D. Navy, widow of John Aboim dated 9 January 1289.1 in this sovereign is assigned yet, the erection of the fence of the village.