|
Castelo de Vide Accommodation
Castelo de Vide Guest & Manor Houses
Castelo de Vide Hotels
Castelo de Vide Inns
Castelo de Vide Accommodation - Pousadas
Flôr da Rosa
Santa Maria
Castelo de Vide Entertainment
Castelo de Vide - Restaurants
Castelo de Vide - What to Do
Castelo de Vide Guest Book
Castelo de Vide Forum
Castelo de Vide Golf Course
Golf Courses
Castelo de Vide Wines
Alentejo Wines
Castelo de Vide - History
The Romans first settled here in 44 BC being an important point in the road
from Merida in Spain across to the west coast. The Vandals conquered
and destroyed the town in the 4th Century. It was later rebuilt by the Moors
in the 7th Century until 1148 when it was taken by forces led by Gonçalo
Mousinho who then became its governor. The town's first Royal Charter
was issued in 1180 and unlike other places it was required to organize its
own defences and in return the young men of the town were not by law
automatically obliged to be soldiers. It is unknown when Vide as it
was originally known was first fortified. On the orders of Dom Dinis
the castle was rebuilt in 1310 and its name was prefixed by the word
Castelo. When Afonso IV ascended to the throne he gave the
town to his younger brother. This same brother later laid claim to the
throne and an imminent battle for the castle was only avoided by the clever
intervention of the ambassadors sent by the future to be Queen of Portugal,
Dona Isabel de Aragon. Its protection and close border location was
to attract many Jews from Spain during 1492 that escaped from the severe
persecution handed out by the Catholic Church. In 1704 the Spanish
attempted unsuccessfully to capture the castle but later fell to the attack
of the Duke of Berwick who threatened to put all in the town to the sword.
The defending Portuguese then placed all their gunpowder for protection in
a well but a year later an explosion of this powder destroyed a great part
of its fortifications. When they proceeded to rebuilt and extend the walls
they included the houses that had grown up around the castle in the outer
walls.
Castelo de Vide - Description
It is a most attractive small Spa Town with lots of fascinating
architectural character. Sitting on the northern edge of the Serra de
São Mamede it is a popular place for passing tourists due to its natural
welcoming charm and the claimed healing powers of its Spa waters. Within the
castle walls there stands the 17th Century Capela de Nossa Senhora da
Alegria that also contains attractive tiles of the same period. The old
part of Castelo de Vide has lots of character with small typical
houses of the region lining the steep very narrow cobbled streets. This is
the Judiaria Quarter and on the corner of one of these streets there
still stands a 13th Century synagogue. Many of these modest homes together
with the grander houses have door and window surrounds artistically worked
in the local granite. The church of Salvador do Mundo is also from
the 13th Century but it underwent some interior changes in the 18th Century
amongst which is the addition of some attractive tiles.
Castelo de Vide - Nearby Locations
To the northwest is the town of Nisa that acts as a contrast to
Castelo de Vide as the streets are in comparison open and un-crowded
by the local buildings. The Templars constructed this present version of
the town as its original site that was destroyed by invading vandals whom
invaded Portugal from the north.
To the south is the town of Marvão, another very attractive
fortified location that is perched on a spectacular ridge some 862 mts.
above sea level. This strategic factor influenced the Romans to fortify the
location in the 1st Century. Its present name probably originates from its
ruler, Ibn Maruán in the 10th Century. The castle was originally built
round 1299 and crowns the enclosed hamlet that has panoramic views to the
south and east across towards Spain. Due to its high position and well
built fortifications the castle was only once conquered which was in the
Civil War of 1833 when the Liberals achieved access by a secret entrance.
In the 15th Century Chapel is a Visigoth statue that was surprisingly
discovered after being hidden for 300 years during the town occupation
by the Moors. Marvão is a dramatic yet harsh location that often features in
Portuguese poetry and sonnets. Surprisingly, close by in this hidden
corner of Portugal there is an enjoyable 18-hole golf course and
bordering it is a signs of a Roman ruins from 45AD.
Slightly further to the south is the commercial town of Portalegre
that grew to prominence in the 16th and 17th Centuries. To the southwest
the small town of Crato belies its historic past. In the 13th
Century this town was given to the powerful Order of Hospitaliers who
originally assisted in the fight against the Moors in the reign of Dom
Sancho II. The town was to become their headquarters when in 1356
Dom Álvaro Gonçalves Pereira ordered the building of the nearby
Monastery of Santa Maria da Flor da Rosa. It later was to enjoy the
patronage of both Dom Manuel I and Dom João III. The order
was located in the Monastery that in the reign of Dom Luís in 1527
was replaced by the Order of Malta. The structure was virtually destroyed
in the earthquake of 1755 but was partially rebuilt by the order of the
Marquês de Pombal and now it has been converted into an attractive
Pousada. The Spanish in 1662 sacked and destroyed the fortifications of
Crato and its importance was to diminish thereafter.
To the northeast of Castelo de Vide is the Spa Fadagosa.
Also, close to the town are a number of Antas (Dolmans) from the
Megalithic times and the Menhir de Meada is claimed to be the
largest one in the Iberian Peninsular.
Castelo de Vide Photos
Old Jewish Quarter
· Synagogue
· Synagogue
· Town
· Castle
· Old Jewish Quarter
· Castle Walls
· Castle Walls
· Old Jewish Quarter
· Town Hall
|
Castelo de Vide Events |
-- |
| Feira de Santo Amaro |
1st June |
| Town Holiday |
15th January |
| Feira de São Lourenço |
10th to 11th August
|
Castelo de Vide Telephone Numbers
| -- |
| Town Hall |
245 901 350 |
| Fire Brigade |
245 901 444 |
| Police |
245 901 314 |
| Emergency Treatment |
245 901 105 |
| Tourist Office |
245 901 361 |
| SOS |
112 |
| Support to Tourists |
800 296 296 |
| Railways (CP) -
www.cp.pt |
808 208 208
|
Alentejo Towns
Beja
· Elvas
· Estremoz
· Évora
· Monsaraz
· Portalegre
· Santarém
|
7320
