safe and sound...

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Safe and sound, inside the walls...
 

standing on the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

shot taken from the wall above...

 

There's no place like home

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

"Be it ever so humble, there's no place like home."

                                                                  -John Howard Payne

protective walls

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

Homes tucked away among protective walls...
 

rooftops amid the wall

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This hilltop fortification was taken from the Moors by the first king of Portugal, Afonso Henriques, in 1148.  Throughout the different reigns of the kings, towers, keeps and other parts of the castle have been added, creating a picture perfect spectacle.

 

side streets

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This picturesque town, but at the same time busy with its cultural calendar, celebrates many events throughout the year, including a variety of festivals such as Baroque and classical music, along with opera, harpsichord, piano and contemporary art.  Holy week processions, Christmas and medieval markets as well as chocolate festivals are all on the calendar of events celebrated in Óbidos.

medieval and literary

Óbidos (Centro Region), Portugal

This Moorish castle and walls around the city, originating from the 8th century, today form part of the pousadas of Portugal.  A pousada is a chain of luxury, traditional or historical hotels that exist throughout the country.  Next to the castle is the Igreja de Santiago dating from the 12th century, but was completely destroyed in the 1755 earthquake of Lisbon. It was rebuilt at the end of the 18th century and eventually was left to ruin until Ler Devagar (an independent bookshop which translates into "read slowly") decided to take over and convert it into a literary space, along with 7 other locations, turning this medieval wonder into a literary town, with plans to open more in the future.

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.

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!

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.

Mértola from a distance

Mértola, (Region of Alentejo) Portugal

In this picture you can see the castle of Muslim origin, but reconstructed after the town was taken over by the Christians.  The once mosque, now a church, sits just below the castle to the right.  There are many excavations taking place today exhibiting numerous archaeological finds from Roman houses that existed next to the wall of the city as well as other objects (pottery, glassware, metalwork, coins) from the almost 500 years of Islamic rule.  Mértola is a museum in and of itself!

Mértola up close

Mértola, (Region of Alentejo) Portugal

Mértola is a fascinating town sitting on a hill overlooking the Guadiana River and is filled with a rich history.  Set in a very strategic location, this town served as a very important fluvial commercial port in times of the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans and Moors by transporting agricultural products and area minerals to what is known as present day Spain and Northern Africa.  The Moors ruled in Portugal for almost 500 years (until 1238) and had to add a castle to the Roman walls of the city to protect themselves from further invasions.  A mosque was built next to the castle and after 1238 was converted into a church, still resembling the original mosque with only a few changes.

Vejer de la Frontera

Vejer de la Frontera, (Cádiz - Andalucía) Spain

This gem sitting atop a hill less than five miles (8 km) from the unspoiled white-sand beaches of the Atlantic Ocean was under Muslim rule for more than 500 years (711-1248).  It is surrounded by orchards and olive groves making agriculture and fruit-farming its chief industries.

Remote whitewashed villages like this one are spotted all over the countryside, making beautiful backdrops as you are exploring this alluring area of Spain.  Vejer de la Frontera is a perfect place to get lost by wandering its steep narrow streets and admiring its stunning views.  This is by far one of my favorite places in all of Spain!

Treat yourself by staying at the charming la Botica, exact place from where this picture is taken!  I absolutely love Vejer de la Frontera!  :)

Monsaraz

Monsaraz, Portugal - Region of Alentejo

Monsaraz, one of the oldest settlements in southern Portugal, belongs to the region of Alentejo.  It is a hilltop fortification which has been occupied since pre-historic times by many different groups of people: pre-Romans, Romans, Visigoths, Moors, Mozarabs, Jewish and Christians.  It is located just a few kilometers short of the Spanish border and has 150 or so permanent residents living here today in 16th and 17th century whitewashed houses.