The miracle of the roses

Estremoz, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Outside the castle of Estremoz is a statue of Queen Elizabeth (Isabel) of Portugal who dedicated her life to the poor.  She established orphanages, provided shelter for the homeless and founded a convent in Coimbra among many other things.  Her husband, King Denis (Dinis), disliked her giving to the poor and legend has it that when he asked her what she was carrying in her apron, not wanting him to know that the contents were meant for the poor, she answered she was carrying roses.  The bread she was carrying was transformed into roses when she revealed the contents.  Queen Elizabeth died in Estremoz on July 4, 1336.  In 1625 she was canonized as Saint Elizabeth of Portugal.

The walls of Estremoz

Estremoz, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Estremoz is composed of two parts: upper and lower.  The "newer" and lower part of the city is surrounded by a wall built in the 17th century.  Fortified with a different set of walls, the older, upper part contains a castle built in the year 1258, later the residence of the then King Denis (Dinis) and Queen Saint Elizabeth (Isabel).  Today the castle area has been converted into a pousada, a series of luxury traditional or historical hotels found throughout Portugal.

Marble in Estremoz

Estremoz, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Portugal is the second largest exporter of marble in the world, with Italy being the first.  Eighty-five percent of the marble of Portugal is produced in and around Estremoz.  In fact, there is so much marble around this town that it is used everywhere, even as the cobble stones covering the street in this picture!  Marble is also used to make whitewash, an inexpensive way to paint buildings.  Houses in the Alentejo region are typically white and it is common to see ochre or blue painted around the windows and doors.

Vineyards and Olive Groves

Estremoz, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Vineyards and olive groves are spotted throughout the countryside of Alentejo, a region which covers more than a third of Portugal, but only accounts for about 7% of its population.  Important activities in this region include marble, cork, olive oil and mining as well as cheese, wine, ham and sausage production.