Terena e Alandroal: What to Visit
Terena e Alandroal:
What to Visit
Situated in Central Alentejo, the village of Terena is a noteworthy destination within the region. Located a few kilometres from the Spanish border and the Alentejo city of Évora, it is within the municipality of Alandroal that one discovers this Alentejo treasure.
Also known as São Pedro de Terena, this Alentejo village is characterised by its typical architecture: whitewashed houses adorned with blue or yellow trims, which embellish the tranquil streets of Terena.
When visiting this Alentejo locality, one must not miss the area of the Lucefécit Stream and Dam, among other cultural and historical landmarks that endear visitors to the region.
Ribeira de Lucefécit
This is one of the few places in Portugal with such an ancient and rich history. Since pre-Roman times, it has been a sacred site where the earliest inhabitants of present-day Portugal worshipped their deities.
Numerous archaeological artefacts have been discovered along the Lucefécit Stream, dating back as far as the 3rd century BC, and excavations continue annually throughout the surrounding area in search of new findings. Throughout history, various places of worship and churches have been constructed here, such as Fonte Santa, São Miguel da Mota, and the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Boa Nova, which remains a site of pilgrimage to this day.
Prepare for a walk, as this area is only accessible on foot; however, in the summer, the effort may be rewarded with a swim in the Lucefécit Dam.
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Consolação
Built in the 16th century by Diogo Lopes de Sequeira, the fourth Governor of India, this church is a must-visit if passing through the village of Alandroal.
Ermida de São Bento
Constructed at the end of the 16th century, legend holds that an elderly hermit came here to pray during the plague of that year, as from this location he could see the Hermitage of São Bento da Contenda, in the area of Olivença. It was believed that his prayers saved the people of Alandroal from the plague.
Consequently, the people of Alandroal built this edifice, which remains a place of worship to this day. The nave is entirely adorned with mural paintings created by the local populace, featuring floral motifs, cherubs, scrolls with images of penitent saints, and the depiction of São Bento, among other elements that demonstrate the devotion of the Alandroal community. At the centre, one can observe the coronation of the Virgin Mary by the Holy Trinity.
Menir da Pedra Alçada – ou Pedra de Galo
Located near the village of Santiago Maior, between Redondo and Pias, the Menhir of Pedra Alçada is unmistakable, despite its difficult access. Standing approximately 10 metres tall and 6 metres wide, it is a monument that defies easy explanation.
Various theories exist regarding its origin and appearance, but one consensus is clear: it has been regarded as a natural sanctuary due to its form and considering the region’s historical background.
Capela da Boa-Nova
Also known as the Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Assunção da Boa Nova, this chapel was founded by vow of D. Maria, wife of Alfonso XI of Castile. It is a rare Portuguese example of a fortified church, which has reached the present day almost intact and was classified as a National Monument in 1910.
According to legend, which seeks to explain the chapel’s name, the ‘Most Beautiful Maria’ (as D. Maria was known) was at this location when she received the good news that her father, King Afonso IV of Portugal, would assist her husband in the Battle of Salado.
The devotion to Senhora da Boa-Nova remains alive today, and annually, it is the site of a grand pilgrimage that takes place on the first weekend after Easter. This pilgrimage is so significant for the municipality that Easter Monday is a municipal holiday in Alandroal.
Castelo do Alandroal
Erguido durante o reinado de D. Dinis, no final do século XIII, foi considerado como Monumento Nacional em 1910. É um castelo de estilo gótico, com uma planta oval, ao qual está associada a cerca da vila, de urbanismo muito simples, com uma única via de acesso, a Rua do Castelo. É do Castelo do Alandroal que parte a única rua que atravessa a vila e que termina na chamada Porta do Arrabalde.
Castelo de Terena
Erected during the reign of King Dinis at the end of the 13th century, it was designated a National Monument in 1910. This Gothic-style castle features an oval plan and is associated with the town’s walls, characterised by very simple urban planning, with a single access route, the Rua do Castelo. From the Castle of Alandroal originates the only street that traverses the village, terminating at the so-called Porta do Arrabalde.