Surroundings

WHAT TO VISIT

The Alentejo Sculpture Park - Maria Leal da Costa - Sculpture Park of Marvão is located in Quinta do Barrieiro in the heart of the Serra de S. Mamede.

It is an art destination that offers the possibility of participating in guided tours and thematic programs of one or more days. This project follows a journey of about 20 years, which begins with the creation of the accommodation unit Quinta do Barrieiro, which based its strategies on two pillars: the privileged landscape and the artistic activity of Maria Leal da Coast. The Alentejo Scultpure Park project — Maria Leal da Costa — Marvão Harmony Sculpture Park.

The silence and tranquility, the absence of pollution, the brightness of the days or the beauty of the starry sky, are rare privileges that can be found here. The richness of wild fauna and flora allows to outline nature observation routes, rich in discoveries of sounds, colors and aromas. It took us 15 minutes on foot, from Quinta do Barrieiro to the Apartadura dam, the highest altitude water mirror in the country.

Within a radius of 15 km, we cover the “golden” triangle comprising Marvão, Castelo de Vide and Portalegre, an integral part of the region's enormous cultural heritage.

Marvão, the medieval castle built on natural walls, the ruins of a Roman city, the numerous vestiges of the Muslim presence, the medieval bridge and tower that testify to the Jewish diaspora.

Castelo de Vide, a medieval village with historic Jewry, the very important synagogue and the many megalithic remains. Portalegre, the city of museums and contemporary tapestries.

After about 30 minutes, extending the radius a bit, we reach Crato, Alter do Chão (Alter Real stud farm) and Nisa (land of the famous cheeses). The Spanish border is 15 minutes away and Cáceres, Mérida, Badajoz or Albuquerque about 1 hour.

The local cuisine is rich and unique, as a result of the strong influence of the various cultures brought to the region, a mixture of flavors and aromas that constitutes an enormous added value. Delight yourself with the soups, from the açorda to the gazpacho to the Alentejo, with the meats, from lamb, pork, venison, wild boar, accompanied by migas, feijoada or even mushrooms from the field.