Interesting points in Aljezur
Galleries and Museums in Aljezur
Municipal Museum:
Located in the building that was once the town hall, this museum contains archaeological finds that trace the history of human settlement in Aljezur from 7000 BC.
Adress: Largo 5 de Outubro, Aljezur
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Municipal Art Gallery: Largo 5 de Outubro, 8670-053 Aljezur
Tel. 282 995 019
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 9.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 closed on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Espaço Mais gallery: Rua da Escola, 8670-130 Aljezur
Tel. 282 997 181
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 10.00 to 17.30
Casa-Museu Pintor José Cercas: The home of the 20th century artist has been turned into a museum with collections of china, sacred art, sculptures and works of art by himself and other artists.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Museu Antoniano: Originally the building was the chapel of Santo António of Aljezur, which was constructed in the 17th century. After being used to live in during the 19th century it was finally turned into a museum and now displays books, old engravings, coins, medals and other curiosities of the time.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.30. closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Museum of Sacred Art is housed in an annex of Igreja da Misericórdia. It is named after it's patron, a local man - Monsenhor Cónego Manuel Francisco Pardal.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
- Castle of Aljezur - erected on a hill overlooking the castle served to control the river port that provided a link with the sea and to defend the population from enemy attack. Built during the period of Arab rule (10th century). Its walls afford panoramic vies of the surrounding countryside. The Pillory - where criminals were exposed to public scorn, has been rebuilt from 16th century, remains.
- Misericórdia (Mercy) Church - this church was rebuilt in the 16th century and then again after the earthquake of 1755. It has recently undergone extensive restoration work inside and out. The main doorway is in the Renaissance style. It has a plain interior with interesting flags and a fraternity table.
- Igreja Nossa Senhora da Alva - built at the end of the 18th century. It boasts a fine statue of Nossa Senhora da Alva (Our Lady of Daybreak) (18th century) flanked by two 17th century statues, probably taken from the former main church, which was destroyed in 1755.
- José Cercas Museum - canvasses and drawings by the painter José Cercas, who was born in Aljezur, and other Portuguese artists, furniture, religious art.
- Aljezur Municipal Museum - located in the building that was once the town hall, this museum contains archaeological finds that trace the history of human settlement in Aljezur from 7000 BC.
Galleries and Museums in Aljezur
Municipal Museum:
Located in the building that was once the town hall, this museum contains archaeological finds that trace the history of human settlement in Aljezur from 7000 BC.
Adress: Largo 5 de Outubro, Aljezur
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Municipal Art Gallery: Largo 5 de Outubro, 8670-053 Aljezur
Tel. 282 995 019
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 9.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30 closed on Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Espaço Mais gallery: Rua da Escola, 8670-130 Aljezur
Tel. 282 997 181
Opening hours: Monday to Friday - 10.00 to 17.30
Casa-Museu Pintor José Cercas: The home of the 20th century artist has been turned into a museum with collections of china, sacred art, sculptures and works of art by himself and other artists.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Museu Antoniano: Originally the building was the chapel of Santo António of Aljezur, which was constructed in the 17th century. After being used to live in during the 19th century it was finally turned into a museum and now displays books, old engravings, coins, medals and other curiosities of the time.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.30. closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays.
Museum of Sacred Art is housed in an annex of Igreja da Misericórdia. It is named after it's patron, a local man - Monsenhor Cónego Manuel Francisco Pardal.
Opening hours: 09.30 to 13.00 and 14.30 to 17.30. Closed Saturday, Sunday and holidays
Vale da Telha Lake
Just in the middle of the Vale da Telha village, 2 minutes by car from the villa, this is a lake with 20 km2. The water comes natural underground springs. The surroundings are very quiet and exotic. Ideal for walking and bikers, or a picnic out.
Just in the middle of the Vale da Telha village, 2 minutes by car from the villa, this is a lake with 20 km2. The water comes natural underground springs. The surroundings are very quiet and exotic. Ideal for walking and bikers, or a picnic out.
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The “Ribat” of Vale da Telha (2 Km away from the Villa)
It is located in Ponta da Atalia, 2 Km away from the Villa (see map below).
The Ribat was a Muslim temple created by Ibn Qasî (1144), a mystic against the mainstream Muslim religion. It was discovered in 2001. There is not much to see of the original Temple, only a some very low walls and stones, but the landscape is breathtaking, and we understand why Ibn Qasî, picked up such a remote and protected area, to isolate himself from the Muslin power.
It is located in Ponta da Atalia, 2 Km away from the Villa (see map below).
The Ribat was a Muslim temple created by Ibn Qasî (1144), a mystic against the mainstream Muslim religion. It was discovered in 2001. There is not much to see of the original Temple, only a some very low walls and stones, but the landscape is breathtaking, and we understand why Ibn Qasî, picked up such a remote and protected area, to isolate himself from the Muslin power.
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A day trip to the Monchique Sierra (18 Km away from Aljezur)
Monchique Sierra retains the highest points in the Algarve .
The town of Monchique lies in the saddle created by the two high hills, Foia and Picota, the former reaching to 902 metres above sea level. There is a very neglected 17th~Century Franciscan monastery which overlooks the town from which a visitor enjoys a panoramic view over the beautiful countryside. The 16th Century Parish Church has excellent examples of Manueline craftsmanship around its doorway. The surrounding area flourishes on the production of cattle, pigs, cork and wood. Another important local product is the popular "medronho", which is the name of a strong schnapps style of drink made from distilling the fruit from arbutus bushes. Foia and its sister mountain of Picota are excellent locations from which to see dramatic views of the coastal plain to the south and to the western Atlantic coast.
Monchique - Nearby Locations
Between Monchique and the town of Portimão is the village of Caldas de Monchique that was developed in Roman times as a Spa. Here a visitor can try the curing elements of the sulphur smelling hot spring water that emerges at a constant temperature of 32ºC. There are two further hot spring sites, one of which is to the south of Picota hidden in a valley. Its name is Fonte Santa and it is rumoured to have special healing properties. Some people make annual visits and in its history some centuries ago it has been recorded as being visited by both the King of Portugal and the King of Italy. The two nearby villages of Alferce and Casais are both typical un-spoilt locations reflecting the spirit of rural mountain life. The village of Marmelete is to the west and located on the road that connects to the many sandy beaches on the western Atlantic coast. The small rural town of Aljezur with its hilltop 12th Century castle and its 14th Century parish church is further west on this same road.
Monchique Events
Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais (Sausages) in March
Feira de Artesanato (Handicraft Fair) in September
Flea Market at 28th of every month
Monchique Sierra retains the highest points in the Algarve .
The town of Monchique lies in the saddle created by the two high hills, Foia and Picota, the former reaching to 902 metres above sea level. There is a very neglected 17th~Century Franciscan monastery which overlooks the town from which a visitor enjoys a panoramic view over the beautiful countryside. The 16th Century Parish Church has excellent examples of Manueline craftsmanship around its doorway. The surrounding area flourishes on the production of cattle, pigs, cork and wood. Another important local product is the popular "medronho", which is the name of a strong schnapps style of drink made from distilling the fruit from arbutus bushes. Foia and its sister mountain of Picota are excellent locations from which to see dramatic views of the coastal plain to the south and to the western Atlantic coast.
Monchique - Nearby Locations
Between Monchique and the town of Portimão is the village of Caldas de Monchique that was developed in Roman times as a Spa. Here a visitor can try the curing elements of the sulphur smelling hot spring water that emerges at a constant temperature of 32ºC. There are two further hot spring sites, one of which is to the south of Picota hidden in a valley. Its name is Fonte Santa and it is rumoured to have special healing properties. Some people make annual visits and in its history some centuries ago it has been recorded as being visited by both the King of Portugal and the King of Italy. The two nearby villages of Alferce and Casais are both typical un-spoilt locations reflecting the spirit of rural mountain life. The village of Marmelete is to the west and located on the road that connects to the many sandy beaches on the western Atlantic coast. The small rural town of Aljezur with its hilltop 12th Century castle and its 14th Century parish church is further west on this same road.
Monchique Events
Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais (Sausages) in March
Feira de Artesanato (Handicraft Fair) in September
Flea Market at 28th of every month