Vila Viçosa A royal retreat and marble extravagance
Everything around Vila Viçosa's peaceful broad streets lined with orange and
lemon trees seems to be made of marble.
Benches, pavements, framing of windows and doorways, and even the toilets in
the bus station are made of this shining "white gold," the local marble from
the enormous quarries outside the town.
Dominating Terreiro do Paço, the vast main square, is the long marble façade of the
three-story Royal Palace that belonged to the Bragança dynasty. It
was the birthplace of Catherine of Bragança
(who later became the queen of
England) in 1638, and King Carlos spent his last night here before his
assassination in Lisbon in 1908.
Inside is a rich mixture of English, Flemish and French tapestries, Chinese
porcelain, Brazilian ebony furniture, and massive kitchens with 2000 kg of
gleaming copper, with some pots and pans large enough to bathe in, and spits
large enough for several oxen. There is also an armory filled with weapons
and suits of armor, and a Coach Museum occupying the Royal Stables. The
entrance to the royal hunting ground is through an eye-catching "knot gate,"
with great ropes and knots carved into stone.
In front of the palace stands an equestrian statue of King João IV and an
Augustinian convent with a richly decorated interior,
containing the tombs of the Dukes of Bragança. Their spouses are in the
16th century Chagas Convent in the same square, today a
pousada.
The ruins of a lovely medieval castle nearby contain a modest
archaeological museum on the first floor, and afford views of the royal
hunting ground.
Vila Viçosa can be reached by bus from Evora or Estremoz,
and is easily visited on a daytrip.
The town can also be visited on a tour from Lisbon. Click
here for details.
Evora -
A museum-town; a Roman temple; prehistoric sites
Estremoz
- A legendary miracle; a luxury pousada Monsaraz
- A white town; a magical medieval atmosphere
Marvão
- White walled town reaching the sky
Castelo
de Vide - A Jewish enclave; medieval charm
Elvas -
Impressive military fortifications; a monumental aqueduct
Beja - A
famous 17th century love affair; a lavish old convent
Mértola
- Islam meets Christianity
Lisbon - The
Age of Discovery, World Heritage monuments, museum treasures, vibrant
nightlife
Everything around Vila Viçosa's peaceful broad streets lined with orange and
lemon trees seems to be made of marble.
Benches, pavements, framing of windows and doorways, and even the toilets in
the bus station are made of this shining "white gold," the local marble from
the enormous quarries outside the town.
(who later became the queen of
England) in 1638, and King Carlos spent his last night here before his
assassination in Lisbon in 1908.
Inside is a rich mixture of English, Flemish and French tapestries, Chinese
porcelain, Brazilian ebony furniture, and massive kitchens with 2000 kg of
gleaming copper, with some pots and pans large enough to bathe in, and spits
large enough for several oxen. There is also an armory filled with weapons
and suits of armor, and a Coach Museum occupying the Royal Stables. The
entrance to the royal hunting ground is through an eye-catching "knot gate,"
with great ropes and knots carved into stone.
The ruins of a lovely medieval castle nearby contain a modest
archaeological museum on the first floor, and afford views of the royal
hunting ground.