Monsaraz

The old town of Monsaraz, with a population today of less than a thousand, was settled before Roman times. Given its hilltop location and proximity to Spain, it was a strategically important settlement and stronghold during the Roman, Visigoth, Moorish, and Christian periods.

In September 2025, we stayed overnight in an old casa that had been remodeled some, but retained its very, very old-world charm. The town itself is small, with narrow cobblestoned streets and a few restaurants and shops geared mostly for tourists. The castle dates back to the 12th century after the Christian reconquista, and from its battlements one has a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside, including Lake Alqueva, the largest man-made lake in Europe. And, of course, even for a small town, Monsaraz has a magnificent church--Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Lagoa-- built in the 16th century but rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and again in the 19th century. [Scroll left/right to view gallery]