View of Alqueva Dam 1 and other Monsaraz, Portugal Things to Do Tips

Guy Bellairs writes some words about the Alqueva Dam.
The Alentejo region is currently very arid; it provides a meagre living for its farmers in good years, and destitution when the rains fail, which is not unusual. The dam will irrigate an area about the size of Devon and Cornwall combined, an enormous market garden will be created, furnishing fruit and vegetables.
The waterways will total more than 4,002 Km! The barrage, which is 60 feet higher than the great tower of the Bristol's Wills Memorial Building, used the latest cool-pour techniques, and embodies 500 electric sensors, to warn of any possible impending weakness in the structure. A small power station will furnish electricity without producing smoke or greenhouse gases. To minimise environmental damage, eleven teams of botanical specialists are working to ensure the survival, and if possible, the proliferation of endangered species of wildlife. 9000 trees are being transplanted and all other organic material removed to prevent the water being polluted by rotting vegetation. An archaeological team is also taking steps to preserve some ancient artefacts.
The inhabitants of the scruffy hamlet of Luz are being rehoused in a model village, carefully planned to provide civic amenities ranging from a crèche (for the recently arrived) to a cemetery (for the recently departed). No doubt some of the old folk will resent the loss of their ancestral homes, but their children certainly will not.
taken from:
http://www.bristoloporto.f9.co.uk/page12.html

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Church "Igreja" de Santa Maria da Lagoa is the 13th Century tomb of Gomes Martins Anes, the first Lord of the town.

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The parish church of Santa Maria do Castelo houses an ornate marble tomb dating from the 13th century.
Contemporary of Christian resettlement of Monsaraz, the primitive church was constructed in the second half of the XIII century. It was always the most important temple of the village. The older reference to it dates of the time of D. dinis. Roman-gothic style, its initial structure was made in Latin plant. The current construction, that dates from the XVI century, is from the type church-hall, to the renascentista way. It possesss three part supported by four robust columns, without transepto and with the guided axle the spring-west. The altar-mor, in good golden cut, represents two great sculptures in wood of St° Augustin and Stª Mónica, deriving of the old Convent of the Bare-footed Augustins of the Prayed one, established in 1679, in the Arrabalde de Monsaraz.

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Already existed in the second half of XIII century. Situated in the occidental part of Monsaraz, would belong the Martins Anes and to the Bishop Durando Pais. Its primitive duo century construction disappeared, to the exception of the part of the frame in gothic style. The current construction is delayed by workmanship of the reign of D. José I. At this moment, after recouped for the City council, functions as culture space take place.

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The town came to prominence when it was captured from the Moors in 1167 by the famous soldier Geraldo Sem-Pavor (the Fearless). He then improved on its fortifications and then gave the place to the militant Templar Order. It continued to suffer later many unsuccessful attacks from the invading Spanish throughout the following centuries. However, it was sacked in 1381 by the Earl of Cambridge when his proposed marriage to the daughter of Dom Fernando I was annulled and as a result he unleashed his anger on the town. His manner of gaining easy entry into the unassailable castle can be suspected as having pretended to still having enjoyed the favours of the Portuguese King.

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main square

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now being renovated, near the castle.

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Descending of a primitive blockhouse conquered by “Geraldo Without Terror” (Geraldo Sem Pavor) in middle of the XI century. Of this primitive blockhouse little survived to the “dionistina” reform and everything what we can see is a classic example of the military architecture of the principle of the XI the XI century, having been immediately extended to follow to the announcement of D. João IV. The Arrest Tower, constructed in granite in the starts of the XIV century, conserve “ogival” vaults in its two floors: the floor, old jail and later warehouse of weapons; the upper, noble room of would “alcaidaria” with wide gothic door and designated window already in the 1500’s drawing of Duarte Darmas.The views from its 13th Century castle walls are panoramic over both the plains of the Alentejo and towards the Spanish boarder. The courtyard of the Keep of the Castle has been adapted and is now used as an occasional Bullring whilst the viewing spectators line the castle walls.

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