Vila Vicosa[1] it's a village portuguese of Alto Alentejo, nicknamed the "Princess of Alentejo". Known as one of the "Cities of Marble", Vila Viçosa is located at the foot of the Serra de Borba. It was the residence of the Braganças, who built the majestic Paço Ducal here, and, later, a holiday residence for the Kings of Portugal, playing an important role in the country's history.
Understand
Vila Viçosa is a Portuguese village in the District of Évora that has 5400 inhabitants. It is the seat of a municipality with an area of 194.62 km² and 8 871 inhabitants (2001), subdivided into five parishes. The municipality is limited to the north and east by the municipality of elves, south by Alandroal, west by round and northwest by Borb.
Vila Viçosa is recognized worldwide for the quality of its marble, which forms the basis of the municipality's economy. Many of the city's main monuments were built with this rock, which was already exported in the 17th century to the court of Louis XIV, the "Rei-Sol" of France.
History
Vila Viçosa was occupied by the Romans and Muslims until it was conquered in 1217 during the reign of D. Afonso II. D. Sancho II, in 1270 receives charter from D. Afonso III seeing his name changed from Vale Viçoso to Vila Viçosa. The charter is quite identical to that of Monsaraz, Estremoz and Santarém, granting great benefits to Vila Viçosa. In the 14th century, D. Dinis ordered the construction of Vila Viçosa Castle.
In the Crisis of 1383-1385, the commander-in-chief of the Order of Avis, Vasco Porcalho, betrayed and, taking the side of Castile, took over Vila Viçosa with two hundred and fifty of his men and two hundred Castilians, which forced the population to flee to Borba. A year and a few months later, in the general stampede that followed the battle of Aljubarrota, Vasco Porcalho and his host abandoned both the town and the castle. In 1461 Vila Viçosa became part of the Duchy of Bragança. In 1500, Jaime I of Bragança was invited to return to court by King Manuel I, and the titles and lands of the duchy were returned to him. In 1502 with the beginning of construction of the Ducal Palace of Vila Viçosa, Vila Viçosa became the seat of the Duchy of Bragança. In 1512, Vila Viçosa receives the charter of King Manuel I.
During Philippine rule, Vila Viçosa was the seat of the largest ducal court in the Iberian Peninsula. In 1640, a group of conspirators convinced the then João II, Duke of Bragança to accept the throne of Portugal, becoming, on December 1, 1640, D. João IV (1640-1656) starting the Bragança Dynasty. From this date onwards, Vila Viçosa lost its glow and became the royal holiday residence.
In 1755, Vila Viçosa was strongly shaken by the earthquake of 1755. In the beginning of the 19th century, Vila Viçosa was sacked during the French Invasions.
With the Proclamation of the Republic on October 5, 1910, Vila Viçosa fell into decay, due to the republicans' objective of erasing all traces of the monarchy. However, in the 1930s, with the exploration of marble (Estremoz Marble) and the opening of the Ducal Palace in Vila Viçosa for tourism, Vila Viçosa began to change to this day. Currently, as with many Alentejo cities, its population is in decline, whose main responsible factor is emigration to other regions of Portugal or even from abroad.
To arrive
By bus/bus
Using the services of National Express Network[2] you can go almost anywhere in the country from Vila Viçosa. There is a direct bus to Lisbon, and from there you can take buses across the country. For more information on routes and prices, see the Rede Nacional de Expressos website. THE Alentejo bus station[3] it also offers bus services between several Alentejo cities and towns.
By car
To get to Vila Vicosa from Lisbon you can use the A2, then continue on the A6, and exit at the Borba exit. From Borba, follow the signs to the village. Since Harbor, use the A1 to get to Lisbon and then follow the directions above. Since Faro, use the A22 and then the A2 towards Lisbon. Take exit 7 to merge with the A6 towards Spain. Get off at the Borba exit and follow directions to Vila Viçosa. If you are abroad, take a plane to Lisbon, Porto or Faro and follow the instructions.
Since Madrid, use the A5 and then the A6, exiting at Borba. Then follow the directions to Vila Viçosa.
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The village is small, so all attractions are in the same area, within walking distance of each other, in the historic center. Many of the streets in the historic center are car-free, so the best way to get around is on foot. However, a car can bring you close to most attractions. There are taxi ranks on Rua 1º de Maio and Praça da República.
Look
- , Avenida dos Duques de Bragança, ☎268 980 128. Vila Viçosa Castle, once a Moorish fortress, is located on top of a hill, with the village at its feet. In the 13th century, D. Dinis ordered the construction of a castle and a wall around the entire town, later expanded by D. Fernando I in the 14th century. In the 17th century, the castle was again reinforced with 5 meter walls, helping to stop the Spanish army. More recently, in the 20th century, the castle was abandoned, being restored by the Fundação da Casa de Bragança.
- (also called Solar da Patroeira), Castle Square. This majestic 16th-century Renaissance church is located within the walls of Vila Viçosa. on the edge of the cemetery. It also receives the name "Solar da Patroeira" because the image of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, patron saint of Portugal is located there, which would have been given by D. Nuno Álvares Pereira. This image was declared patron saint of Portugal by D. João IV, and since then the kings have never worn a crown, believing that this privilege was reserved for the mother of Christ. The Church has three naves and its main construction material is marble. Free of charge.
- (in the castle). Tue 2:00 pm-5:00 pm, Wed-Fri 10:00 am-1:00 pm & 2:00 pm-5:00 pm, Sat-Sun 9:30 am-1:00 pm & 2:00 pm-5:00 pm. The Archeology Museum, on the lower floor of the castle itself, displays a large number of pieces from various periods, from Roman mosaics to prehistoric instruments. This museum includes an important archaeological collection assembled by King D. Luís I. The Hunting Museum is one of the largest in the world and the second largest in Europe, with a large collection of European, Asian and African animals, as well as an important collection of Gentile weapons from the Portuguese Overseas and hunting carbines. €3 per person..
- , Vila Viçosa Cemetery (inside the wall). Florbela Espanca is one of the most recognized Portuguese poetesses, born in Vila Viçosa, most famous for her collection of poems heath in bloom. During her tumultuous life, she had little knowledge as a poet, becoming famous for the circumstances of her death (a suicide), which led to increased interest in her work. Today, his tomb attracts countless admirers from all over the world, standing just outside the Vila Viçosa cemetery, inside the village walls. Free of charge.
- , Terreiro do Paço (in front of the Ducal Palace). The Church of Agostinhos is a majestic Baroque temple, a National Monument built in the 17th century, which serves as a Pantheon for the Dukes of Bragança.
- , Old Railway Station, Avenida da Estação, ☎268 980 516. Tue-Sat 9:00-12:30 and 14:00-5:30. The Marble Museum is located in the former Train Station, adorned with beautiful tiles that depict Vila Viçosa and its surroundings, and exposes the great importance of marble for the region. The museum presents the process of extraction and transformation of marble, exposing the objects and instruments used and providing information on the history of the marble extraction activity in the region, which dates back to the Romans, and on the present of this activity.
- , Terreiro do Paço, ☎268 980 659, fax: 268 989 808, email: [email protected]. Oct-Mar: Tue 2pm-5pm, Wed 10am-1pm & 2pm-5pm, Thu-Sun 9:30am-1pm & 2pm-5pm. Apr-Sep: Tue 2:30 pm-5:30 pm, Wed-Fri 10:00 am-1:00 pm & 2:30 pm-5:30 pm, Sat-Sun 9:30 am-1:00 pm & 2:30 pm-6:00 pm. The museums are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays in the morning, and on holidays. Visits to the Treasury only take place from Tuesday to Friday, from October to May. Paço Ducal is the ex-libris of Vila Viçosa, a 16th century building that served as a holiday home for the Portuguese royal family. Most of the guided tour of the palace takes place on the Noble Floor, where most of the art collections are located, including paintings, sculptures, tapestries, furniture, ceramics and jewellery. All rooms are decorated with beautiful frescoes and tiles, as well as magnificent marble fireplaces and painted ceilings. The visit ends in the kitchen, notable for its size and the huge amount of copper utensils. The palace also includes an armory museum on the ground floor, in addition to a space dedicated exclusively to works of gold, the Treasury, which stands out the Cruz de Vila Viçosa, a coach museum, and a porcelain collection. The ticket for the guided tour of the palace costs 6€; for the armory and porcelain cores it costs €2.50; for the Coach Museum it costs €1.50; for the Treasury it costs €2.50..
- . Tapada Real is a huge 1698-hectare leisure space created by King D. Carlos. It is a vast forest area, with diverse fauna and flora, and you can even see deer. The kings used it for hunting, and it is still a great place for hunting, and King D. Carlos portrayed it in some of his paintings, which can be seen in the Paço Ducal.
Knife
Buy
The best (and only) place to shop is in the various stores in the historic center, as the village does not have large shopping centers or supermarkets.
The region does not have any characteristic crafts, although you can buy beautiful pieces of marble or tin.
With the
Gastronomy
Vila Viçosa is one of the best gastronomic destinations in the Alentejo, with traditionally Alentejo dishes such as gazpacho (a cold soup based on vegetables), the famous açorda (another soup, gastronomic ex-libris of the Alentejo, in which preparation includes bread, coriander, garlic, salt and olive oil, in addition to other ingredients, depending on the Alentejo region), and tomato, dogfish, cachola, potato, purslane, onion soups, etc., in addition to Alentejo migas with fried ribs (made from Alentejo bread, pepper and entreocst), from lamb stew to coriander feet (with coriander, olive oil and pig's feet, among other ingredients) and Alentejo-style stew.
Alentejo gastronomy is also rich in sweets and desserts, such as almond and gila tibornas, sericaia, bacon from heaven and sorrels.
Restaurants
- , Alameda das Varandinhas, 43, ☎268 980 556. Famous for seafood, the Ouro Branco Restaurant serves some of the most traditional dishes of regional cuisine, such as gazpacho with fried mackerel or dogfish soup. The chickpea stew and nun bellies are also very good.
- , Republic Square, Vila Viçosa, ☎268 980 256, fax: 268 980 280. A beautiful and spacious regional restaurant, with good dishes of Alentejo cuisine. Among the specialties, the Alentejo migas, the fried entrecote with tomato migas and the sericá stand out.
- , Pousada de Vila Viçosa, Terreiro do Paço. 13:00-15:00 & 19:30-22:30. Located at Pousada de Vila Viçosa (see section To sleep), offers a wide variety of regional dishes in a cozy atmosphere, with beautiful views of the Romanzeiras patio. Specialties include beetroot and pumpkin soup, 'O Manjar das Chagas', a recipe created in the former convent of Chagas (where the inn is located), candied cod and lamb chops. Approximately €30 per person (without drinks).
- , Municipal Forest of Vila Viçosa, ☎268 980 806, fax: 268 989 519. Located in Vila Viçosa's Municipal Forest, this is one of the locals' favorite restaurants, with beautiful views of the gardens and magnificent dishes of Alentejo regional cuisine. It has a terrace.
drink and go out
In Vila Viçosa there are not many bars and clubs to go out at night:
- , Rua Florbela Espanca, 78.
- , Largo Mariano Presado.
- , Largo D. João IV, 60. 23:00-5:00.
- , Rua Casas Novas, 18. 7:00pm-2:00am.
- , Largo D. João IV. On Fridays there is live music.
sleep
- , Fish Village, ☎268 886 870, fax: 268 886 879, email: [email protected]. Located in the heart of the Alentejo, on the outskirts of Vila Viçosa, it is a village composed of very well equipped duplexes. It has a swimming pool for adults and children, a tennis court and a good restaurant. Low Season (November 1st-March 31st): T1 for €75, T3 for €165, extra bed for €20. High Season (April 1st-October 31st): T1 for €85, T3 for €180, extra bed for €25.
- , Republic Square, 25, ☎268 980 318. Extremely well located, in the city centre, close to the Castle and the Ducal Palace, this cozy hostel has 8 affordable rooms, overlooking the historic area. The rooms are all air conditioned but do not have internet. Single room: €25. Double room: €35.
- , Rua Florbela Espanca, 125, ☎268 886 000, fax: 268 886 001. This modern hotel, one of the best in the region, is located in a 16th century manor house, combining ancient architecture with minimalist design. The hotel offers 18 rooms and 4 suites, some of which are adapted for the disabled. It has a swimming pool, library, bar, rest areas and a great restaurant, Restaurante do Paço, with regional and international dishes. Double room: 85€ per night. Twin Room: €85 per night. Suite: 115€ per night.
- , Convento das Chagas, Terreiro do Paço, ☎268 980 742, fax: 268 980 747, email: [email protected]. Pousada de Vila Viçosa is located in the Convento Real das Chagas de Cristo, in the center of the village. Notable for its themed rooms, based on legends and tales, this beautifully restored hotel has two swimming pools, for adults and for children, a games room, with billiards and board games, and a restaurant, with regional dishes and even an original dish from Convent where the hotel is located, "O Manjar das Chagas". Single room per night: €110. Double room per night: €120. Suite per night: 162.
Leave
- Alqueva[4] - Alqueva is the name of the largest dam in Portugal, as well as the lake it created, the largest artificial lake in Portugal. Europe. Alqueva attracts people from all over the country, whether to come here to relax and be closer to nature, or for more radical activities, such as mountain biking, various water sports and hiking, whether for fishing or hunting.
- Borb[5] - Borba, which like Vila Viçosa is known for being one of the "Cities of Marble", is also known for the quality of the wine produced there. Like Vila Viçosa, most of its monuments are built in marble, especially the religious heritage, namely the 15th century Mother Church, but not only, being one of the main monuments the Fonte das Bicas.
- Évora[6] - Évora is one of the most emblematic and monumental Portuguese cities, UNESCO World Heritage, and a vast history, dating back to Roman times. It is one of the most important cities in the region, the most populated in the Alentejo, district capital and seat of a bishopric. It is famous above all for the Roman Temple, or Diana Temple, located in the center of the city, and for the Capela dos Ossos, in the Church of São Francisco, with walls entirely covered with bones. The Cathedral and Praça do Giraldo also attract many tourists.
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