Monsaraz

We arrived in Évora on Sunday and on Monday we drove 45 minutes to the hilltop village of Monsaraz.  Monsaraz is surrounded by olive groves and has amazing views of the Alqueva Dam.  It is also one of the oldest places in southern Europe and certainly has a medieval feel including a castle, narrow-cobbled lanes and beautiful white-washed homes.   This was one of Alex and my favorite stops so far while we have been in Portugal.  It is just so picturesque.  

Igreja Matriz de Santa Maria do Castelo

We were able to walk around Monsaraz Castle, once ruled by the Knights Templar and later the Order of the Christ.  It also was a bullfighting ring at one point as well.  

After strolling through the village, we drove to the Cromleque do Xerez.  This megalitihic monument was built during Neolithic times but needed to be moved to its current location when the Alqueva Dam was flooded.  

We had brought a picnic lunch which we took to Praia Fluvial de Monsaraz.  This river beach sits on the shoreline of the Alqueva reservoir.  It was such a beautiful day and we sat outside and enjoyed the sunshine for awhile before packing up and heading back to our Airbnb.