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.

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.

Located in the parish of the Cathedral and St. Peter, at Largo Conde Vila Flor, is surrounded by the Cathedral of Évora, the Tribunal of the Inquisition, the Church and Convent Lóios the Évora Public Library and the Museum.

Although the Evora Roman temple is often called the Temple of Diana, it is known that the association with the Roman goddess of the hunt originated from a legend created in XVII century. Indeed, the temple was probably built in honor of the emperor Augustus, who was venerated as a god during and after his reign. The temple was built in the first century AD in the main square (forum) of Évora – then called Liberatias Iulia – and modified in the second and third centuries. Évora was invaded by Germanic peoples in the fifth century, and it was at this time when the temple was destroyed; Today, its ruins are the only traces of the Roman Forum in the city.

The ruins of the temple were incorporated into a tower of Évora Castle during the Middle Ages. The base, columns and architraves continued embedded in the walls of the medieval building.

Its walls and the eight pillars are “decorated” with bones and skulls connected by brown cement. The vaults are of brick plastered in white, painted with allegorical motifs to death. It is a monument of a penitential architectural arches decorated with skulls queues, cornices and white ships. Was constructed with around 5000 skeletons, from the cemeteries, located in churches and convents of the city. The chapel was dedicated to the Senhor dos Passos, Lord of the Steps, known in the city image as Senhor Jesus da Casa dos Ossos, Lord Jesus House of Bones, impressing with the expression that represents the suffering of Christ, in their walk with the cross up to Calvary.

This section develops in the northeast-southwest direction. Begins in the old CP station of the city of Montemor-o-Novo, go through the village and its final stop of Paião, ending in the Tower Station Scythe, which liaises with the Local Nature Tourism, already implemented.

The Montemor Ecopista through an important natural area – the site of Monfurado, home to species of flora and fauna of Community interest.

This is an area dominated by important cork oak and holm oak, very well maintained and is considered a very important area for the conservation of several species of bats.

The entry Ecopista and the railway bridge next to the old Montemor-o-novo train station, the final stop of Paião and the Tower of Largo da Gadanha.

More information: http://www.referpatrimonio.pt/ecopistas/ecopista-do-montado

on site, was implemented one of the oldest prehistoric villages.

The Educational Project of Alto de São Bento (St. Benedict Hill), which includes the Museum Centre of Granite and the Museum Centre of Floristic.