Monsaraz: heritage, Alqueva and dark sky
Monsaraz is one of the four parishes that make up Reguengos de Monsaraz, a municipality in the Alentejo region of southern Portugal and in the district of Évora. The parish occupies the northeastern corner of the municipality, close to the Spanish border. Across the municipality, the terrain rolls gently rather than rising sharply.
Monsaraz in Alentejo
The name Monsaraz derives from Xarez or Xerez. Islamic rule reached Monsaraz in the eighth century during the Muslim invasions. Geraldo Sem Pavor captured it from the Muslims in 1167, in an expedition that set out from Évora. King Sancho II entrusted Monsaraz to the Templar knights, who were to defend and settle it. The Order of the Temple received Monsaraz and took responsibility for defending it and bringing in settlers.
The granite keep dates from the 14th century, in the reign of King Dinis. For centuries, the castle guarded the Guadiana and the frontier with Castile. Fortifications in the Vauban style surrounded the castle, with walls enclosing the village and designed for artillery fire. A decree of 2 January 1946 classified the fortifications as a National Monument; in 1971 the classification was extended to the whole walled village.
The private day tour to Évora and Monsaraz from Lisbon lasts 8 hours. It includes a licensed private guide for the day, a traditional Alentejo lunch with local wine, admission to the Chapel of Bones at St. Francis Church, guided visits in Évora’s historic centre and a visit to Monsaraz village and the outside of its castle.
Alqueva lake
The Alqueva reservoir borders the southeastern edge of Reguengos de Monsaraz municipality. Its water surface covers 250 km², and the reservoir extends for 83 km. Within the municipality, Alqueva has more than 200 km of shoreline. The municipality’s streams drain towards the Degebe River in the southwest and the Guadiana River in the east.
Dark sky at Alqueva
Cumeada, in Reguengos de Monsaraz, is home to the Dark Sky Alqueva observatory, where telescopes form part of the equipment. Alqueva became the world's first Starlight Tourism Destination in 2011. The Alqueva region averages about 286 clear nights a year.
Megalithic heritage
Human occupation of this area goes back more than 6,000 years. The municipality contains around 140 funerary megalithic monuments (dolmens and tholoi), plus menhirs and cromlechs. Dolmens, also called antas, are represented alongside cromlechs and menhirs in this heritage. Within Monsaraz parish, the Herdade do Xerez and Olival da Pega groups are among the megalithic sites.
Wine and regional visits
Reguengos has a DOC designation as a Portuguese wine region.
The day tour of Évora and Monsaraz with wine tasting lasts 10 hours. It includes return transport from Lisbon, a professional guide, a guided tour of Évora’s historic centre, Chapel of Bones admission, a guided vineyard and cellar tour at a Reguengos de Monsaraz winery, a wine tasting there and a guided visit to Monsaraz village.
The private day tour from Lisbon to Évora and Monsaraz lasts 10 hours. Included are private return transport in a premium vehicle, a licensed professional guide, a traditional Alentejo restaurant lunch, wine tasting, a cork workshop visit in Azaruja, a pottery village visit in São Pedro do Corval and guided visits in Évora’s historic centre.
The local climate
Atlantic influence moderates the municipality’s Mediterranean climate. Summers are dry and hot, while winters are rainy and short. The municipality records a yearly mean temperature of 16 °C and annual rainfall between 600 and 700 mm.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Monsaraz?
Monsaraz is a parish of Reguengos de Monsaraz, in Alentejo, southern Portugal, near the Spanish border.
Are the Monsaraz fortifications a National Monument?
A decree of 2 January 1946 classified the fortifications as a National Monument; in 1971 the classification was extended to the whole walled village.
How large is the Alqueva reservoir?
Alqueva covers a water surface of 250 km² and extends for 83 km.
Where is the Dark Sky Alqueva observatory?
The observatory is in Cumeada, in Reguengos de Monsaraz, and has telescopes.
Which megalithic sites are in Monsaraz parish?
The parish includes the Herdade do Xerez and Olival da Pega megalithic groups.
