Alentejo, an excellent Portuguese region for walking - part 2/2
Évora
stands out on a map.
When
we get to know this city we quickly understand the reasons that led its Historic
Center to be classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, walking on theses
streets is like traveling through time portals between the middle ages and the
time of the Roman occupation.
If
considering to drive around 20km’s from the city than the time travel will be to
even more remote times, to 6000 years BC when the Almendres cromlech began to
build. This site is considered as the Portuguese Stonehenge however it has roughly
twice the age of the English monument.
The
time of the Roman occupation became indelibly marked in Évora and the most
visible landmark is the Imperial Temple. But not only in the center of the city
the roman presence can be seen, there are many other evidences in places not
too far from the city.
A
very interesting example is the Villa da Tourega where it is still possible to
walk between Roman structures.
Thinking
of Romans makes our eyes to give another jump in the map towards South and
landing at the Minas de São Domingos (mines of São Domingos) started during in
Roman times and then have an interregnum until the mid-19th century when cupric
sulphate and sulfur were extracted.
This
imperial presence can also be found in the Interior of this region, is the case
of Mirobriga, at Santiago do Cacém, where today you can visit this ancient
Roman city.
Many
other sites are not being referred only to not make a too long post but for
sure I will write much more about this region in the future.
This
is the land of peace and serenity and where time passes slowly.
Come
walk with me in Alentejo.
David
Monteiro
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