ALENTEJO GUIDE
by Herdade dos Alfanges
VILA NOVA DA BARONIA
A STAY YOU WILL NEVER FORGET
The village is very old and there are traces that date back to Roman times. Vila Nova da Baronia was, initially, called “Vila Nova de a par de Alvito” and then “Vila Nova de Alvito”, passing in 1708 to the current name of Vila Nova da Baronia. That same year it was elevated to the category of municipality, wich was extinguished in 1836, and become an integral part of the current municipality of Alvito.
It is a typical Alentejano white washed village with cobbles streets, hidden little shops and a few local restaurants. It’s set between two streams: Ribeira de Sobrena and Ribeira de Vila Nova da Baronia. The municipal washing tank sits right along one of these streams and, not too long ago, women were washing their clothes here.
Agriculture is the main economic activity in the parish. The other sectors like construction, trade and services have a minor role in generating wealth.
The main agricultural activities are typically Mediterranean, such as the extraction of cork, the cultivation of wheat, the harvest of olives and the breeding of pigs, sheep and cattle. The wine culture has also gained some relevance in recent years.
Vila Nova da Baronia used to be the farm and kitchen to Alvito where historically the army had a base to defend Portugal from just about everyone.
PLACES OF INTEREST
PONTE DO AZINHAL
Roman bridge of medieval reconstruction. It’s only pedestrian given the characteristics of the narrow board and sloping ramps. Under- neath passes the new village stream of the barony.
IGREJA MATRIZ DE Na SR.a DA ASSUNÇÃO
The interior is composed of the single nave with high choir on Tuscan columns and side chapels. In the main chapel, the gilded altarpiece of the late 18th century stands out.
PELOURINHO
The Manueline pillory is in Praça da República and it construction dates from the 16th century. It was used to punish anyone who broke the law.
IGREJA DE Na SR.a DA CONCEIÇÃO
Built in 1655. On the altar table is a magnificent front of tiles with floral motifs, birds and exotic fauna.
IGREJA DA MISERICÓRDIA
Built in the 16th century. The main artistic manifestation is the painting dated from the Filipino period.
ERMIDA DE SANTA
ÁGUEDA
Located 1.5km from the village, it also has “frescos” of enormous artistic value.
ALVITO
Pascoela Sunday
(Sunday following Easter Sunday)
August 15th
Festas de Santa Maria
(Religion, feast, music)
The oldest testimonies that are known of human presence in the municipality date back to the Neolithic period with several vestiges that ensure the presence of man during the Copper, Bronze and Iron age. Successive civilizations have left their mark, the Roman occupation, the Visigoths and finally the Moors. Alvito finally became “Portuguese” during the “reconquista” (recapture) in 1234. The name “Alvito” comes from Olivetto, which means olive grove.
The 15th and 16th centuries were times of both strong economic and demographic growth in Alvito. The castle was rebuilt between 1494 and 1504, and its architecture and decoration shows an interesting mix of Manueline and Mudéjar styles, typical of the Alentejo region.The main church is a mix of Manueline and early Renaissance styles dating back to the 16th century.
In the transition of the century XVIII for the century XIX, Alvito’s growth and prosperity stagnate, beginning its decline from mid-century XX, especially during the 60s and 80s. Nevertheless, this town still shows the wealth of yore, revealed through the beauty of its monuments and the grandeur of its history. Alvito is, therefore, a municipality where rurality and monumentality meet to draw the paths of the future.
PLACES OF INTEREST
CASTLE
As a mixed building of military architecture and palatial residence where Islamic, Gothic and Manueline influences are identified.
PELOURINHO
It’s located near to the castle. The Manueline Pillory was used to punish who broke the law.
IGREJA MATRIZ
It was built at the end of century XIII. Inside you can see frescos of rare beauty and tiling dating back to the XVII century.
ERMIDA DE S. SEBASTIÃO
It was probably built at the end of the 15th century dedicated to protector saints.
WALKING TOURS
ALVITO MANUELINO
SANTA ÁGUEDA ROUTE
FRESCO ROUTE
MEMORIES OF THE MILLS
VIANA DO ALENTEJO
Viana do Alentejo immerses its historical roots in its traditions and lives, its cultural heritage is an open book of eras and styles. Previously known as “Viana de Foxem” or “Viana à par d’Alvito”, this Alentejo village offers to visitor all the splendor and harmony of Alentejo, through its landscapes, gastronomy and heritage.
Located 7 km from Herdade dos Alfanges, it is a meeting point for ancient Roman paths (Alcácer do Sal, Évora and Beja) and an open invitation to discover the tradition of its pottery, the architecture of its monuments and all its natural and cultural heritage.
This little town of almost 6000 inhabitants has been of extraordinary importance to the strategic defence of Portugal. Because of its strategic importance, Viana’s heritage is very diverse and interesting. Besides its Gothic castle and the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Aires, perhaps the most important monuments, there are many examples of Roman, Gothic, Manueline and Renecance arquitecture to be seen.
PLACES OF INTEREST
ZAMBUJEIRO TAPIR
It is in Aguiar. it’s one of the most important megalithic monuments in the municipality. It’s preserved the corridor, funeral chamber and roof slab.
SANTUÁRIO DE Na SR.a D'AIRES
It’s a space of devotion and pilgrimage, of Baroque style with Rococo elements, preserves a remarkable collection of ex-votos.
CASTLE
It’s considered one of the most notable fortified architectural ensembles of the late Gothic period.
CONVENTO DE Na SR.a DA ESPERANÇA
It is located in Alcáçovas. Has a excellent details of Manueline construction, as well as one of the most beautiful collections of tiles from 17th-18th centuries.
CAPELA DAS CONCHAS
It is located in Alcáçovas.This type of decoration was influenced by the strong Portuguese maritime tradicion.
ERMIDA DE Na SR.a DA PIEDADE
It is located in Aguiar. There’re no concrete data about the date of construction of this chapel, the references that exist date from 1733.