Montemor-o-Velho

Montemor-o-Velho will always be connected to Gharb al-Ândaluz: there are reports of great battles between Arabs and Christians. There were advances and retreats from both sides. The year of 990, with Almansor’s cruelty marked the beginning of a long period of Islamic domination for the Christians. This lasted until the campaigns of Fernando Magno, who conquered Coimbra in 1064. Even after 1064, Fernando Magno chose a Mozarab,  Sisnando d. David, who was possibly born in Tentúgal, to rule between the Douro and the Mondego Rivers.Years laters, the Count D. Henrique and later King D. Afonso Henriques recognised the strategic importance of the Castle of Montemor-o-Velho to the achievement of their goal, which was the advancement of the Christians to the South. In 1212, D. Teresa gave it the charter, which was confirmed in 1248, by King Afonso III, until King D. Manuel finally order the new charter.The Royal Residence was then within the walls of the Castle. Today, there are still traces of some works made in the 16th century, during the Manueline period.  It was here that King Afonso IV ordered the execution of Dona Inês de Castro. The church of Santa Maria de Alcáçova was built in 1095 but nowadays only  the reconstruction from the 16^th century remains. It is also great to look around from the walls and enjoy the landscape with the immense rice fields and the flocks of ducks that rest on the wet lands of Paúl do Taipal. But visiting Montemor-o-Velho is also discovering the old mediaeval streets outside the walls where we are surprised by the 18th century mannor houses or the popular naivety of the corners decorated with flowers. And Montemor-o-Velho is also the Mondego River:  a track of blue water with colourful rowing boats cutting through. Continue on foot, by bike or on horseback and see the exuberant fields of the Mondego with their proud white stork nests. Then we can reach Tentúgal, where the Carmelite nuns lived, in the Convent of Nossa Senhora da Natividade (Our Lady of Nativity). Besides their religious activities, they occupied themselves with the secrets of the sugar. They spent hours making the “Pastéis de Tentúgal” (Tentúgal pastries) with their delicate hands.  During your visit to Montemor-o-Velho do not forget to try these specialities as well as  the “Queijadas de Pereira”. They are wonderful sweet souvenirs. We can't also leave without trying a delicious lamprey or a duck rice.