Fodor's Essential Portugal (Full-color Travel Guide) by Fodor's Travel Guides

Author:Fodor's Travel Guides [Fodor's Travel Guides]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Travel Distribution
Published: 2017-04-11T04:00:00+00:00

MONTEMOR-O-NOVO

30 km (18 miles) northwest of Évora.

Driving east from the Portuguese capital, the first hilltop castle settlement you’ll hit is also one of the most impressive. Montemor-e-Novo, or simply Montemor for short, has been a settlement from the time of the Romans, and its castle has been renovated and expanded by successive generations of Arab rulers, Christian monks, and Portuguese royals since then. Today the town is a prosperous agricultural hub with a surprisingly happening arts scene, and gastronomic festivals throughout the year. Montemor makes a pleasant half-day stop to or from Évora.

GETTING HERE AND AROUND

About 100 km (62 miles) east of Lisbon, Montemor is just past the point where the Portuguese capital’s limits disappear into the countryside. It’s an easy 90-minute drive from Lisbon, or about 30 minutes west of Alentejo’s main city, Évora. Montemor is easily identified from afar by its hilltop castle, on a steep hill towering over clusters of houses hugging its sides.

ESSENTIALS

Taxi Contact Taxi Montemor. 266/892333 , 266/892444 .

Train Station Estaçao Rodoviaria. Carreira de S. Francisco 266/892110 .

Visitor Information Montemor-o-Novo Tourist Office. Largo Calouste Gulbenkian 266/898103 www.cm-montemornovo.pt .

EXPLORING

Fodor’s Choice Castelo de Montemor-o-Novo. This huge complex towers over the city. The property includes an ancient gate to the city (Porta da Vila) that could be closed during possible times of attack or revolution, a Casa da Guarda (guard station), and a Torre do Relogio (clock tower). You can climb up onto the outer castle fortifications and walk around the complex for a 360-degree view of the town below and plains beyond. It’s also a pleasant walk up to the castle through Montemor’s winding, steep side streets lined with 17th-century manor houses and Manueline doorways. Porta de Vila Free .

Convent of St. João de Deus. This former convent houses the municipal library, the town archives, and an art gallery with temporary exhibitions from local artists and on Montemor’s history. In early March, the building is the hub of a citywide festival celebrating Montemor’s patron saint, the 16th-century figure St. John of God. There’s a crypt where the saint is said to have been born, and a nave covered with blue-and-white azulejo tiles depicting scenes from his life. Terreiro de St. João de Deus 266/898103 Free .

Misericordia Church. This church has a splendid Manueline doorway, 17th-century altar pieces, and an 18th-century organ crafted in Italy. Near the front of the church, there rests a beautiful 15th-century Pietà sculpture carved from local marble. Terreiro de St. João de Deus 266/898410 www.scmmn.com Free .

WHERE TO EAT

Cafe Almansor. $ CAFÉ Across the main square is an old-fashioned haunt for Montemor locals. Don’t be put off by the slightly dark, dated art deco style inside. Café Almansor makes one of the best cups of coffee in town. This is also a popular local hangout, serving simple toasts and sandwiches. Average main: €3 Praca de Republica 7 266/892209 No credit cards .

Fodor’s Choice Sociedade Circulo Montemorense. $ CAFÉ The best spot to sip a coffee or glass of wine in the sunshine is in the front garden of this social club in Montemor’s main square.

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