Monuments to visit Alentejo

The keep of Estremoz Castle houses the Santa Isabel Pousada, one of the most beautiful in Portugal. It was built in the 13th century by King Denis for his second wife Isabella of Aragon. After her death in 1336, the house was transformed into an ammunition depot. Unfortunately, the inevitable happened and, on 17 August 1698, an explosion destroyed most of the castle and its surroundings. It was restored by Joseph I in the 18th century. From the castle, you can admire an unobstructed view of the surrounding area.

Museu municipal (Rua da Romeira 19. ✆ +351 285 253 978. 200 m east of the castle. Open Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm, and from 10 am to 12 pm and from 2 pm to 4 pm on weekends. Free entrance). It presents elements from the prehistoric, Roman and Moorish eras.

Museu árabe (Largo da Mouraria. Open Tuesday to Friday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Free admission). In the heart of the old Arab quarter, this museum presents beautiful pieces from the Moorish occupation, including a beautiful 14th century well, ceramic and crystal objects and a hand of Fatma.

Museu Alberto Gordillo (Rua da Vista Alegre. +351 285 253 579. www.cm-moura.pt - Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm). Housed in a 19th century building, this museum displays more than 200 pieces of jewelry and carved gems. It aims to show the processes of jewelry making of which Alberto Gordillo (sculptor and jeweler born in 1943 in Moura) is one of the main pioneers. The visit is not long, but the pieces on display can be admired in their every corner. The explanatory panels are in English and Portuguese. Do not hesitate to ask for more information to the people at the reception who will be happy to answer your questions.

Museu do azeite - Lagar de Varas do Fojo (Rua S. João de Deus +351 285 253 978. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 12:30 pm and from 2:30 pm to 5:30 pm. Free entrance). An interesting museum that presents the old methods of olive oil production, before industrialization. Its manual olive oil press is in an excellent state of preservation. It was in operation until 1941. Photos on the walls show the process. It is a pity that the guided tours are only in Portuguese.

Museu do medronho (+351 266 637 044. www.museudomedronho.pt / [email protected]. Open from 10am to 7pm from Wednesday to Sunday. Closed on Monday and Tuesday. Admission €2). In Portugal, when it's time to get out the booze, it's often a small glass of medronho that you're offered: a strong and fragrant brandy from the strawberry tree. At least in the south of the country, because it is in the hot and dry lands that this shrub acclimatizes best. The medronho museum exhibits the cultivation techniques of the arbutus, its life cycle, its economy and its ecological value. The establishment is an exhibition, a distillery, a store and a tasting stand. There is also liqueur and even gin from the strawberry tree! Here's to you..