Fado, Estremoz and Elvas
Alluring Alentejo: Day 7
Saturday, 12 October 2024
This morning after breakfast, we were given an interesting enrichment lecture in the ballroom at our hotel called “Fado, the Portuguese Song” by music historian Andre Moreira.
Fado is the name of the genre of Portuguese music imbued with deep sadness and longing. Invented in the 19th century, themes often include longing for the glory days of Portugal’s maritime conquests.
The lecture was an important part of our cultural immersion because tomorrow night in Lisbon dinner will include a Fado performance.
After this lecture, we loaded up in our bus and took a 15 minute ride to Estremoz — the largest of Alentejo’s marble towns featuring a tranquil historic quarter set within medieval walls and an imposing, 13th-century castle.
Given it was Saturday morning, the farmer’s market was set up, giving us a chance to chat with the vendors and sample freshly made cheeses, sausages, breads, pastries and more.
Walking the back streets of Estremoz was fascinating…
Around noon, we headed a short distance to the city of Elvas. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this border town once protected the key crossing between Madrid and Lisbon. Its strategic importance grew after Portugal regained its independence from Spain in 1640 and as conflicts repeatedly erupted between the two countries during the Portuguese Restoration War (1640-1668).
Extensive fortifications that are still visible today were erected largely in the 17th century, including a thick city wall with jutting bulwarks to defend from any angle and the two massive, outlying forts of Santa Luzia and Graça.
Elvas features the only four-story aqueduct in the world.
Note the nearby fortress on the adjacent hilltop:
Here’s a group photo of the Naval Academy alums in the tour:
We then walked to the town center and had lunch on our own.
After that, it was time to depart after one last look at the bulwarks and aquaduct.
Later in the evening, we had a wonderful group dinner at the hotel restaurant as a last hurrah for our time in Vila Viçosa. Tomorrow we head to Lisbon for a day of sightseeing before departing for home on Monday.
