Florbela Espanca

Vila Viçosa, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Florbela Espanca, a Portuguese poet and writer, was born in Vila Viçosa on December 8, 1894.  She was a woman ahead of her time as she was one of the first women in Portugal to go to high school, attending an all boys school in Évora (Alentejo).  She also went on to complete a literature degree in 1917 and was then one of the first women to enroll at the Law School of the University of Lisbon.  Florbela Estanca lived a difficult life losing her mother at a very young age as well as her brother in a plane accident years later.  She married three times and was never able to have children.  Florbela Espanca died on her 36th birthday.  Her life is reflected in a number of books containing poetry, short stories and letters published before and after her death.  

This picture shows a bust of the writer with the castle of Vila Viçosa in the background.

Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade

Vila Viçosa, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

The first stone of this church, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Piedade, was laid in 1606 making up part of the Convento dos Capuchos.  Many churches in the Alentejo region are whitewashed and have blue or ochre colored trim.

Paço Ducal de Vila Viçosa

Vila Viçosa, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

The Paço Ducal de Vila Viçosa (Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa), the former residence of the Dukes of Bragança and several kings, was started in the year 1501 and completed in the 18th century.  The main façade is completely covered with blue Estremoz marble and is inspired by Italian Renaissance architecture.  Today fifty rooms are open to the public housing art collections and rare books originally belonging to King Manuel II, Flemish and French tapestries, ceramic tiles, frescoes, furniture, porcelain and armor.