Maribel

Castelo de Vide is fairly compact. You can visit the central square where there's parking, wander through the Judiaria and up to the castle in 2 hours. We even stopped in at the Museu Judaico in the site of the former synagogue for a quick visit. The Sephardic diaspora is something I find very interesting and the story of the Marranos and how they hid their identity during the Inquisition (I'm not Jewish).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Synago...astelo_de_Vide.
https://www.portugaltravel.org/synag...astelo-de-vide.

In Marvão you'll probably want to focus on the castle and its very large grounds.

progol

Great info, Maribel, and yes, a fascinating history.

Maribel

This is why Belmonte is on my "must do" list on our next trip!

xyz99

Thank you, Maribel. This is really helpful...we'll need to be very selective. Interesting links, I'll have to read about Marranos and the Sephardic diaspora. I found this
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marrano

Maribel

And our Fodorite Gardyloo introduced me to the book "The Mezuzah in the Madonna's foot"
.

progol

Thanks for the links to the Castelo de Vide synagogue.Really fascinating! We were in the synagogues in Cordoba and in Toledo, and now we’ll get to visit the one here and in Tomar. The history of the Marranos is incredible - painful but very intriguing! I can imagine how special it is to be part of the Jewish community in Belmonte.

Maribel

I loved our visit to the tiny synagogue-museum in Castelo de Vide. The Sephardic heritage in Portugal and Spain really fascinates me.

https://jewishtoursportugal.com/castelo-de-vide/
https://www.visitportugal.com/en/des...alentejo/73790
https://www.redejudiariasportugal.co...astelo-de-vide

xyz99

Thank you! This is one of the reasons I love traveling, not only for what I see, but what I learn about people, places, history, geography, culture....it's fascinating and nourishes the soul.

mike1728

Maribel-great photos. Loved Monsaraz. Visited there as a day trip from Evora in May 2018. Had lunch at the restaurant in your photo "O Gaspacho" Delicious bruschetta and vegetable soup, with some local vino. Super cute place-very friendly owner!

Maribel

A bit more about Monsaraz from my favorite Portuguese blogger-
https://juliedawnfox.com/monsaraz/

Maribel

For progol and xyz99,
Your two "homes" in Evora-enjoy them both! They're lovely.



The Pousada Convento dos Loios chapel


Sitting room of the Pousada


Pousada's outdoor area


The Pousada's "best" as in most historic room


The Albergaria do Calvario


Albergaria do Calvario


And the famed porco preto alentejano, like Spain's pata negra, grazing on acorns and producing some very fine ham!


The Pousada chapel's beautiful tiles--open to all to visit

xyz99

It looks gorgeous, Maribel, thanks for the photos. Although we will not have the Pousada's "best", I'm sure we'll love it there. I can't believe AdC is fully booked for the end of Sept...Portugal is really a popular place!

Maribel

It's that the AdC houses lots of upscale cycling groups (like Backroads) and they go through the Alentejo in September & October.

xyz99

Ahaaaa, that explains it! Thanks. They had other days available, but not our dates, and I did not feel like re-arranging our dates for them. Plus, the Pousada is perfectly fine, too.

Maribel

I just found these photos of Castelo de Vide--such a pretty, manicured town and the Eagle's Nest of Marvão with its superb panoramas, just to give you an idea of what you'll see in your time there.



Castelo de Vide from below


Its pretty square (it's a spa town)


its main square with sculptures where you can park




A pretty manor home turned small inn, the Casa Amarela overlooking the main square


The Serra São Mamede


The town seen from the castle


The Fonte da Vide, a Renaissance marble fountain dispensing the town's famous mineral water


The Rua. da Fonte of the Judiaria


The 13th century synagogue and museum, with 2 rooms, one for women and one for men with a collection of history of the local Jewish communities




A typical Marvão whitewashed street leading to the castle


progol's Marvão "home", the Dom Dinis


Marvão castle


Its gardens


View from the castle ramparts to the church


The views from the Pousada's dining room

xyz99

And I only have 2 hrs in each??? oh boy...
Do I go up to the castle in both towns? I'm a sucker for views from above, but I love wandering on those little cobblestoned streets too...

Maribel

I know....these 2 Serra de São Mamede towns are adorable.

Yes, go up to the castle in both towns---for the views!

I haven't yet been to Monsanto, but boy, these two are really wonderful!

progol

The views everywhere! I want more time - 4 weeks isn’t enough! The views in Marvao are fantastic! And it looks like we’ll need to stop in the castle for a meal although I believe our “home” has a view, too. And those views from Castelo de Vide! more wow!

And Castelo de Vide is a must for the Jewish history as well. It feels very present, in fact.

And Evora! The pousada’s chapel! Love those tiles…

xyz99

I'll tell you about Monsanto when we come back. I really, REALLY hope we won't need to cancel this again.

progol

Nope, you won’t. This one’s the charm!