Have you ever heard of this city?!
Portalegre is a city, capital of the district of Portalegre, located in the interior of Portugal, in the Alentejo region, sub-region of Alto Alentejo.
It is the seat of the municipality of Portalegre with an area of 447.14 km² and approximately 22,368 inhabitants (2021), which is subdivided into 7 parishes.
Alagoa
Alegrete
Fortios
Reguengo e São Julião
Ribeira de Nisa e Carreiras
Sé e São Lourenço (Portalegre)
Urra
According to a frequently mentioned legend, described by Friar Amador Arrais in his work "Diálogos" of 1589, Portalegre was founded by Lísias in the 12th century BC, following the disappearance of his daughter Maia. She was walking around with Tobias when she is coveted by a tramp, Dolme, who kidnaps and murders Tobias. Lísias is desperate for her daughter's disappearance and goes in search of her, eventually finding her dead by a stream that today is named Ribeiro de Baco. Lísias will die of joy when he thinks he has seen his daughter extend her arms to him. The city that was founded in the meantime was given the name of Amaia (or Ammaia). Lysias would also have built a fortress and a temple dedicated to Bacchus on the site where the Church of São Cristóvão stands today. According to Friar Amador Arrais, ruins of this temple still existed in the 16th century.
It is believed today that the legend resulted from fantasies somehow supported by the existence of a tombstone with a dedication to the Roman emperor Lucius Aurelio (161-192), which was probably brought from the ruins of the Roman city that is located in São Salvador da Aramenha, near Marvão, which is now commonly accepted as the Roman Amaia referred to in various historical sources. The location of this and other cities mentioned in sources from the Roman period, Medóbriga, was the subject of controversy until, at least, the beginning of the 20th century. in its surroundings.
The name of Portalegre will originate from Portus Alacer (port, crossing point, and alacer, Alegre), or more simply Porto Alegre.
Monuments and tourist spots
Museums
José Régio House Museum;
Museum of Tapestry of Portalegre Guy Fino;
Cork Museum;
Castle Museum.
Castles
Portalegre Castle;
Castelo de Alegrete.
Gates of the old wall
In the past there were 7 doors (some scholars speak of 8), of which only 5 remain, namely:
Porta do Crato, better known as Arco do Bispo;
Porta da Devesa or Espírito Santo, at the top of Rua 5 de Outubro;
Porta de Alegrete or São Francisco, known today as Arco de Santo António, at the western end of Praça da República (formerly Corro).
Religious Buildings
In the city
Cathedral (16th century);
Portalegre Seminary (20th century), inaugurated in 1955;
Church of Nosso Senhor do Bonfim (18th century);
Convent of São Bernardo (16th century), where currently (2009) the Practical School of the Guarda Nacional Republicana functions;
Convent of Santa Clara (14th century), currently the Municipal Library of Portalegre;
Jesuit Convent of São Sebastião (17th century), Royal Wool Factory from the 18th century, seat of the city council since 2005;
Calvário Chapel (17th or 18th century);
Sant'Ana Chapel (18th century);
Church of São Lourenço.
In the surroundings or rural parishes
Chapel of Our Lady of Penha;
Church of the Misericórdia of Alegrete.
Other Historic Buildings
Former Seminary (16th/18th century), current Municipal Museum;
Former Paços do Concelho (city council seat) (17th century);
Palace of the Counts of Vilar Real or D. Nuno de Sousa (16th century), where the Manueline windows stand out;
House of the Counts of Melo;
Achioli Palace (16th and 18th century), current Higher Education School of Portalegre;
Yellow Palace (17th-19th century);
Avillez Palace (18th century), current Civil Government;
Palácio Barahona (18th century), currently houses the District Archives of Portalegre;
Palace of the Caldeira de Castello-Branco or of the Counts of Alter do Chão (16th-18th century), currently houses the Museum of Tapestry of Portalegre;
Palácio dos Andrade e Sousa (17th century), currently the headquarters of the Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre;
Palace of Barros Castello-Branco (17th century).
Where to eat
A Gruta
Address: Bairro do Atalaião Velho, 8 - A 7300-245 Portalegre
Telephone: (+351) 245 201 402 Fax: (+351) 245 201 402
Email: tania_flo_87@hotmail.com
Payments: Credit cards accepted; Travelers Checks accepted;
Indicative price: $$ (10€ - 20€);
Characteristics and Services: Air conditioning; Capacity: 60; Parking lot; Widescreen;
Grelhados do Bonfim
Address: Avenida de Bonfim, 4 - Portalegre 7300-067 Portalegre
Telephone: +351 245 202 585
Schedules and Reservations: Reservation:: Recommended;
O Castro
Address: Avenida da Liberdade, 12 r/c 7300-185 Portalegre
Telephone: +351 245 202 395
Characteristics and Services: Air conditioning; Capacity: 75;
Accessibility: Access for people with reduced mobility; Disabled access;
Access: Bus;
Payments: Indicative Price: $ (0€ - 10€);
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