© * Estremoz, Cidade branca e amuralhada.

Approached from the south, the old town appears perched on a hill overlooking the bright whitewashed houses of the modern town below. Estremoz, standing in a region of marble quarries, is a pleasant city, still possessing its 17th Century ramparts and dominated by its medieval castle. It is, and has been since the 16th Century, a well-known centre for Alentejo pottery which can be seen picturesquely displayed on the Rossio (main square) on market days (Saturdays). Estremoz is dominated by the hilltop keep of its royal palace, rebuilt by Joao V after an explosion in 1698. Isabel, the "Rainha Santa", wife of Dom Dinis, died in the former palace in 1336. The Count of Ourém, while entertained here in 1380 when finalizing secret negotiations between Richard II and Dom Fernando, contrived to make Dona Leonor, Fernando´s not-so-saintly queen, pregnant. ----------------------------------------------------------------------

 **STATUE OF QUEEN SAINT ELIZABETH OF PORTUGAL** Statue dedicated to Elizabeth of Aragon, wife of King Dom Dinis, to whom various miracles are attributed. //12.11.2016.// ------------------------------------------------------------

 

© * ETAPA 11 Caminho de Santiago do Este de Portugal/Oriental desde Tavira/Algarve - BORBA.

**BORBA on the 11th Stage of "O Caminho de Santiago do Este de Portugal/Oriental desde Tavira/Algarve", between Alandroal and Estremoz over a distance of about 26,4 km, since XIV/1988/1996/2009/2017.** ------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Borba is one of the great marble towns, it is also the place for buying antiques, there is a castle, the Fonte das Bicas, and a number of fine, ornately carved passos (portals) and in the middle of town is the extraordinary chequered facade of the chapel next to the Convento das Servas but it would be unusual for any of these sights to immediately spring to mind if you mentioned to word "Borba" to the Portuguese. To them the word triggers a vision of nothing but tanks, barrels and bottles of robust, strong, dark red wine which is the product of the vast buildings of the adegas in the heart of town. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ***BORBA*** A fama desta vila, vizinha de Estremoz, vem das pedreiras de mármore branco e das vinhas, umas e outras exploradas com sucesso desde tempos imemoriais. O Chafariz das Três Bicas e a Igreja das Servas sao locais de referência. ------------------------------------------------------------------------

© * Vila Vicosa

Vila Vicosa has many major sights but its main attraction is that it is the most beautiful of the marble towns to walk around. The buildings are elegant, the windows and doorways tastefully framed with weather-worn marble cantarias and at first-floor height there are often arched arcades and wrought iron balconies. The doors all have their odd knocker; some a simple hand holding a ball, others as intricate as a brace of duck dangling a tortoise. The name Val Vicosa - meaning verdant valley - was given to the town after the reconquest in 1270 under Afonso III. André de Resende, a 16th century Portuguese historian, referred to the town as Calipole (Greek for "good city") and the local people are still known as Calipolense.