Medieval Alvalade

The event "Medieval Alvalade - Commemorations Foral" is a living history classroom, the only event of the kind in the Alentejo Coast, and that every year brings thousands of visitors and tourists to the Villa de Alvalade.

During these days, the daily life of the man of the Middle Ages is recreated in Alvalade to the full extent, through a program that includes the completion of a historical procession where representatives of all social classes of the time, and a Medieval Fair animated minstrels, jousting, theater, shows and exhibition of weapons, medieval dances, product sales and also a medieval restaurant menu.

Birdwatching: Lagoas de Santo André e da Sancha

Alentejo: Santiago do Cacém and Sines (Beja)

Geographical coordinates: 38º04’N 08º49’W

Area: 2,672 ha

Altitudes: 0-48 m

Description

The site extends along a coastal region and includes two coastal lakes - Lagoa Santo André and Lagoa da Sancha - and a system of small, freshwater lakes formed in dune depressions. Lagoa de Santo André and Lagoa da Sancha lakes are representative examples of Mediterranean-style coastal lakes, one of the most vulnerable types in wetlands. Lagoa de Santo. The lake vegetation includes extensive patches of reeds and rushes.

Visit the area of Alentejo, Portugal

This report is http://www.chooseportugal.com

Visitors to the south-central area of Portugal will find that the Alentejo region offers a wonderful journey back into ancient times, but with most of the current conveniences of today!This part of the country is named for the term "Beyond the Tagus", due to its position of the Tagus River. There are contrasting high and low lands, and it consists of about 31,152 km. Within its borders are several nature parks, such as the Parque Natural da Serra de São Mamede (including lovely medieval villages), Parque Natural do Vale Guadiana (near the port of Sines ), and Vicentine Coast Natural Park, to name a few. There are also many historical and religious monuments, astounding architecture, and breathtaking scenery. Other tourist interests are its culinary and wine offerings; polyphonic singing groups are a unique local entertainment. Investments in the golfing industry has also turned Portugal into a golfing haven, and it was named "Best Golf Destination 2006" by readers of Golfers Today, a British publication. (Fourteen of Portugal's courses are rated in the top 100 best in Europe.) However, any guest on holiday will find that there is always plenty to do and see! The major municipalities of the Alentejo area each offers different and colourful attractions for guests:

Horse-riding in Portugal: Along the coast at a canter

Report written by Alexandra Ferguson for http://www.telegraph.co.uk/

By Alexandra Ferguson 1:34PM BST 24 Sep 2009

Alexandra Ferguson enjoys a riding holiday among the cork forests and beaches of south-west Portugal.

'Form a line,” Miguel shouts, as we plunge into the dunes and the horses pull at the reins, eager and excited. The beach is deserted; virgin sand stretches north and south, and Atlantic rollers crash on the steep shore. As we descend to the water’s edge, the hiss and roar of the surf is deafening and spray flies on the breeze. The horses brave the surge: chasing the retreating waves, shying from the advancing breakers and we fight to hold them as Miguel raises his arm. “Everyone ready?” he cries. Then we are off, galloping along the sand: the horses slick with salt and sweat, the warm wind on our faces.

Roman Ruins Miróbriga

Miróbriga archaeological site is located near the city of Santiago do Cacém.

Referenced in the sixteenth century by André de Resende, Miróbriga the Roman ruins are located in a privileged zone of visibility, allowing you to control territorially throughout a region rich in agricultural resources, marine and mining, one of the reasons played a commercial paper of some importance. Interpreted as a sanctuary, for some authors, and as provincial urban center, for others, Miróbriga was inhabited since at least the Iron Age to the fourth century C., although built structures remain poorly studied, despite their obvious wealth and decorative construtiva.

Beaches, towns and sunsets

This is an interesting story on the Alentejo Coast that I found on the web ocholeguas.com:

Beaches, towns and sunsets 

It is often forgotten that the golden fields of the Alentejo reach the sea and overlook the Atlantic along nearly 200 miles of coastline. Beaches, coves and cliffs for sunset wildest Portugal. The beaches of Alentejo are the other side of this beautiful rural region, supplementing its resources with fishing, beach tourism and ports.

Lagoa de Santo André meets the sea

The natural beauty of the Lagoa de Santo André reaches its highest point in the beginning of Spring. Every year, by this point, it makes the opening of the Lagoa to the sea, in a unique show, which breaks the line of dunes that separates the Atlantic Ocean, with the action brought by the Natural Reserve of Lagoas Santo André and Sancha. 

This moment of rare beauty, occurs at a stage of the year which coincides with the period of breeding of fish species imnumerables. Necessary action to ensure greater continuity of habitat lagoon system of the Alentejo Coast and rule aroused the curiosity of many munícipes and other visitors. 

Photo gallery of Joaquim Alves Gaspar

Looking for photographs to renew the image of the blog, I found a beautiful photo essay on the Alentejo Coast of Joaquim Alves Gaspar deserves to be seen. I show here some of the photos: 

Blue Flag 2011

These are the beaches and marinas with Blue Flag in the Alentejo Coast for the year 2011: 

12 th International Exhibition of Theatre de Santo André

12. Nd International Fair of Santo André Theatre will be held from May 16 and runs until 12 June. 

A unique beach

Imagine a long line of coast where the sun is the king and the sea breeze mixed with perfumes of the countryside, where unexplored beaches merge with sheltered coves and small fishing ports, where the horizon tones invite to sleep and waits past to be discovered ... Have you imagined? For this paradise exists and is waiting. From the Troia Peninsula to near the shore of Odeceixe, there is much to explore and learn.

In the Alentejo Litoral, the climate allows us to begin exploring nature during most of the year. In the Natural Park of Southwest Alentejo and Costa Vicentina, which extends from Sines to Sagres in the Algarve and we find a variety of landscapes and habitats that make this area one of the best preserved coastlines of Europe. Here you can observe many species of flora and fauna such as otters that are rarely found in marine environment and the birds that nest on the cliffs by the sea. The beaches alternate with coastal lagoons, salt marshes, estuaries and "sapais", giving rise to protected areas such as the Natural Reserve of Lagunas de Santo André and Sancha and the Natural Reserve of Sado Estuary, where you can admire dolphins and storks in natural habitat. Inside, contrasting the slopes of the Sierras de Grândola of Cercal and Odemira Hills.