Around MONSARAZ!
On our journeys from Sagres to Estremoz, we often take the chance to discover new places or refresh our memory of others.
On our journeys from Sagres to Estremoz, we often take the chance to discover new places or refresh our memory of others.
This time we stopped in the medieval village of Monsaraz, and woke up to a marvellous view: the Alentejo plain bathed by the Alqueva.
Just beautiful!
Who said there were no agave poles in the Alentejo?
Along the picturesque little lanes
The Alentejo chimneys are already getting their hearth fires ready!
The roughly cobbled streets have all been restored. Be sure to visit the fresco museum, where you can see a series of old photographs of the village!
The old state school is now a craft shop!
Honour, Courage and Faith!
Time to go to photography school :)
We should all have one of these adorable little chairs at home, even if we have no children :) We have two!
Igreja da Misericórdia :: inside, notice the beautiful frescoes on the columns, now somewhat faded.
The Church Tower
A variety of geometric shapes
Monsaraz comes from the Arabic Saris (or Sarish), which later became Xarez (or Xerez), referring to the rockrose (xara) scrub then abundant on the banks of the River Guadiana The place name Monsaraz evolved from Monte Xarez (or Xaraz)
One last photograph!
The Great Lake!