view from the castle

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

This time, as opposed to a previous post for Castelo de Vide, the view of this marvellous medieval town has been taken from the castle.

doorways rich in history

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Gothic doorways like this one can be seen in abundance throughout the Jewish Quarter of Castelo de Vide.

Jewish Quarter

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

During the Middle Ages, a large population of Jewish people resided in this whitewashed village housed among an intricate network of narrow cobbled streets with Gothic doorways.  Here is said to be the oldest synagogue in the country.

Alentejano

Serpa, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

...whitewashed towns, hard-working and hospitable people, olive groves, vineyards, cork oaks, marble, rolling plains, livestock, cured hams and sausages, cheese, natural parks, medieval villages, castles and beaches...  These are just a few things that describe Alentejo and anything "alentejano"...  simply wonderful!

olives and whitewashed villages

Portel, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Alentejo is full of whitewashed villages with olive trees dotting the countryside.  This picture has been taken from the castle wall which saw its first stone placed in the 13th century.

picture perfect skies

Redondo, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

I love the churches in the Alentejo Region!

 
Igreja de São Pedro - 16th century

inside the castle walls

Alandroal, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

This late 13th century castle stands strong today with much of it still intact.  Take a walk around the castle walls and observe the landscape beyond.

towers and walls

Alandroal, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Alandroal is one of many fortified villages remaining along the border between Portugal and Spain, each one having its own unique qualities.  The castle here dates from the late 13th century.

What lies ahead?

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

What lies at the end of this road?  Don't be shy; be adventurous and find out!

shadows and shapes

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

After a day of walking through centuries of history, this was the perfect way to end my day with no need to be at any particular place at any particular time.

picture perfect

Marvão, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

A picture perfect house in a picture perfect setting...

a life full of experiences

Marvão, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

As I was leaning my back up against a wall with my foot kicked back and supporting the rest of my weight on one leg, this man stopped, raised his head, looked at me and said with a cute grin "Are you holding up the wall because you're afraid it is going to fall down?".  I hope I have this man's sense of humor when I reach his age!  He put a smile on my face.

medieval castles

Marvão, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

You can spend hours and hours gazing in the distance from this incredible 11th-13th century castle and really only hear the breeze whispering by you.

I can see for miles and miles...

Marvão, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

On a clear day, you really can see for miles and miles...

beautiful homes high up

Marvão, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Another town built high up in the São Mamede mountain range and neighboring Castelo de Vide just under 10 kilometers away is this one, Marvão!  Don't miss it as it is full of beautiful white-washed homes with a lot of charm and spectacular views built inside a fortified village with a castle from the 11-13th centuries.  The Nobel prize-winning Portuguese writer, José Saramago, wrote "From Marvão one can see the entire country".  The town's name comes from an 8th century Muslim duke by the name of Ibn Marwan who controlled the area in the 8th century.

I agree with the New York Times bestseller book "1000 Places to See Before you Die" when they say this is one of a thousand places you must see before you die!

cork

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Portugal is the leading cork producer in the world, accounting for almost 50% of world production.  Cork is obtained from the bark of this cork oak tree once the tree is about 25 years old and can then be harvested every nine years.  The average life of this tree can be as long as 150 years and it is illegal to cut one down unless special permission is granted by the authorities.

It is a beautiful sight driving around the Alentejo Region observing the wonderful hues of brown resulting from these trees.

magical silence

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Built in the 16th century, this chapel, Nossa Senhora da Penha (Our Lady of the Rock), was built on a hill overlooking Castelo de Vide.  I highly recommend coming here to experience the magical silence that exists for miles around you, along with the spectacular views.

standing tall

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

This medieval town, set on a hill in the São Mamede mountain range, was an important stronghold close to the Spanish border.  Today, it is a town full of charm where time seems to stand still.  It holds a castle dating from the 14th century, a beautiful Jewish quarter containing the oldest synagogue in Portugal as well as more than 30 churches and chapels, all to be found strolling through its winding cobbled streets.

tranquility

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Visiting remote villages like Castelo de Vide slows your pace and makes you disconnect and step back from it all - at least for a while, that is.

doors with charm

Castelo de Vide, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

The charm of many doors around the castle area of Castelo de Vide takes me back in time.