Monsa r az
Town and Castle of Monsaraz and Alqueva Dam lake
The parish of Monsaraz is located in the northeast corner of the municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz fronting on the right margin of the Guadiana River and Alqueva Dam to the east, in Alentejo region near its border with Spain. The Alqueva Dam constitutes one of the largest dams and artificial lakes in Western Europe.
Study visit Sc h edul e —————— Morning and L unc h at Évor a —————— Af t er L unc h at Monsa r az
Study visit Pr o gr amm e Évor a |Mon sar a z April, 27th 2017
April, 2 7th 2017
Short History In 1167, the Castle and medina was taken by Geraldo Sem Pavor, in an expedition that came from Évora (which had just been retaken, about the same time).[After, Afonso Henriques' defeat in Badajoz, Monsaraz was once again taken by Muslim forces. In 1232, supported by the Knights Templar, King Sancho II definitively retook the citadel and town, placing it under the control of the Templars, and obligating them to establish a garrison that would protect the border. The Christian repopulation of Monsaraz ended around the reign of Afonso III. In 1263 it was already an important fortress, being the head of a municipality, with large privileges. The local economy was fundamentally based in agriculture and livestock, existing some small artesnal industries producing terra cotta earthenware and hammered copper.
Location of Alqueva Dam
Tea chers cont acts: Prof. Marta Ropio: +351 935 097 333 Prof. Manuel Casa Branca: +351 917 211 525
CATHEDRAL OF ÉVORA
Évor a Capit al of Centr al Alentej o
Cat hedra l of Évora
Ro man Templ e
Short History
Short History
Walking inside this building seems a time travel: The first part of the Cathedral was built between 1184 and 1204 in Romanesque style.
From Vendas Novas to Évora
Évora has a history dating back more than five millennia (3000 B.C.) It was known as Ebora by the Celtici, a tribal confederacy, south of the Lusitanians, who made the town their regional capital. The Romans conquered the town in 57 BC and expanded it into a walled town Évora was definitely reconquered from Arab hands in 1166 by Geraldo Sem Pavor (Gerald the Fearless) for Portuguese Kingdom. The whole town is a World Heritage Site, an open air museum according to UNESCO since 1986. Its walls have been guarding the streets and building practically unaltered throughout the centuries.Inside them, you are awaited by traces of Roman times, medieval buildings, palaces and convents which are witness to the golden era of Portugal (15th and 16th centuries). This historical and cultural wealth attracts more and more visitors.
It was enlarged circa 12801340, this time in early Gothic style. The cathedral received several important additions Façade of the Évora Cathedral through time, such as the Gothic cloisters (14th century). The choir is from the Manueline period (early 16th century). The portal in Chapel of Morgados do Esporão was built in Renaissance style. The ancient organ, the oldest still in activity in Portugal, dated from circa 1544. The high choir has Mannerist-style choir stalls carved on oak in 1562 by sculptors from Antwerp. The main chapel was The Gothic Apostles totally rebuilt between 1718 and 1746, a work sponsored by King John V.
The Roman Temple in Evora, incorrectly dedicated to Diana, the goddess of hunting, is one of the greatest and best preserved roman temples in the Iberian Peninsula. That is Roman temple built in Corinthian style why it was considered World Heritage by UNESCO in 1986. This is the ex-libris of Evora, a sort of visiting card. Built in Corinthian style in early 1st century AD, it is located in the historical centre, near Evora Cathedral, Evora Library, Fórum Eugénio de Almeida, Evora Museum and the Pousada Convento de Evora inn. Over the base of the Roman Temple there are still 14 original Corinthian columns. Many of these still have their capitals, made of white marble from Estremoz.
Library (left) and Evora Museum (right)
It is the largest of the mediaeval cathedrals in Portugal, and one of its best examples of Gothic architecture. Wiew of the central nave of Évora Cathedral. The baroque main chapel is in the background Roman temple (left) and Pousada inn(right)