At the top of the hill, the castle ramparts, a symbol of the long struggle between Christians and Moors. A cascade of white houses that almost tumble down the hillside towards the river.

Archaeological site confirm man's presence in the area since prehistoric times, most notably for a period around 4,000 B.C., the so-called "Mirense" period, and during the Bronze Age. The Romans too have left traces of their culture.

Moorish rule lasted for six centuries and ended with the Christian reconquest of Aljezur (in around 1250). The Town received its first charter during the reign of King Dinis in 1280.

For hundreds of years agriculture was theregion's main economic activity and its produce was at one stage shipped to market via port on the Aljezur creek. When silting made the creek impracticable, the road running sown from the north to Lagos was used.

The 1755 earthquake caused a great deal of damage to the town and led to the construction of a new settlement across from Aljezur, called Igreja Nova. This was built at the initiative of Francisco Gomes de Avelar, bishop of the Algarve as a means of encouraging the population not to leave the town and move elsewhere.

Aljezur, after remaining largely untouched by the 19th and early 20th centuries, is now sharing in the social and economic renewal of the Algarve.

- Places to see -

Castle
Erected on a hill overlooking the creek that has been inhabited by man since the Iron Age, the castle served to control the river port that provided a link with the sea and to defend the population from enemy attack. It was built during the period of Arab rule during the 10th century and it consists of a broad courtyard surrounded by high ramparts reinforced by two towers, one round and the other square. It was badly damaged by the 1755 Earthquake. Inside there is a cube shaped cistern covered by vault. Its walls afford panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Pillory
The pillory, where criminals were exposed to public scorn, has been rebuilt from 16th century remains.

Misericórdia Church
This Church was rebuilt in the 16th century and then again after the earthquake in 1755. It has recently undergone extensive restoration work inside and out. The main doorway is in the Renaissance style. It has a plain interior, with interesting flags and a fraternity table.

Main Church
Built at the end of the 18th century, this church served as at the nucleus of the Igreja Nova quarter. Its interior is composed of three naves, with an imposing main altar, It boasts a fine statue of Nossa Senhora da Alva - Our Lady of Daybreak - 18th century flanked by two 17th century statues, probably taken from the former main church destroyed in 1755. The side chapels contain 17th/18th century retables taken from the former monastery of Nossa Senhora do Desterro - Our Lady of the Exhile, in Monchique. There is a baptismal font in the Manueline style - 16th Century. In the sacristy are crucifixes dating from the 18th/ 19th Century ostensorium.

José Cercas Museum
Canvasses and drawings by the painter José Cercas, who was born in Aljezur, and other Portuguese artists, furniture, religious art and porcelain, are exhibited here. The small museum garden has an excellent view of the castle, the plain and the town.

Aljezur Municipal Museum
Sited in the building that was once home to the town council, this museum contains archaeological finds that trace the history of human settlement in Aljezur municipality from 7.000 B.C. to the Bronze Age and the Moorish occupation. Adjoining the museum is the Aljezur Municipal Gallery with host's temporary art Exhibitions.


[ BORDEIRA ]

Bordeira is a village surrounded by hills and farmlands. Some of the streets retain the charm of houses in the traditional style and there are ruins of an old country manor house. The main church, which dates back to the 18th century, is worth a visit to see the triumphal arch and the retable in the main altar with the statues of Nossa Senhora da Encarnação - Our Lady of the Incarnation dating back the 18th century, São Francisco - St Francis, Santo António - St Anthony and São Luís - St Louis from the 17th century and a São Sebastião - St Sebastian from the 16th century. There are also side retables and a collection of holy treasures. In the former cemetery that adjoins the church stands a Manueline gateway of unknown provenance.


[ Aljezur ]

Angling and Surfing is a typical sport in Aljezur.

Along the coast of Aljezur is a paradise for anglers who dream of landing bigfish. The waters team with sea bass, dory, conger, eels, snook, sea bream and many other species of fish, all waiting to provide subject matter for tall tales told at nightfall, among friends over a glass or more of local wine.

The perfectly formed waves that break off Aljezur´s beaches are among the best in Europe and ideal for surfers and body boarders alike.


[ ROGIL ]

Rogil is a picturesque village. Perched on the top of a hill the Arregata windmill shows how for centuries the wind was harnessed to mill cereals.

Peanut Growing
The Algarve's pleasant climate is well suited to the cultivation of exotic species, as demonstrated by the tasty peanuts dug from the fields at Rogil and other villages in Aljezur.for the delectation of peanut-lovers everywhere!


[ ODECEIXE ]

From a distance Odeceixe is a charming jumble of houses scattered over hills with the sea in the background. On one of its streets is a curious Cellar-Museum, which reconstructs the atmosphere of a traditional winery and cellar. The main church has some fine 17th century statues and there is an interesting seven-sided font in Manueline style.


[ CARRAPATEIRA ]

The only monuments in this village perched high above the sea are a defensive fortress built to ward off raiding corsairs (17th century) and a hermitage dedicated to Nossa Senhora da Conceição - Our Lady of conception. In the church, which has Manueline doorways, there are 17th and 18th century statues as well as a coved retable on the main altar. The baptismal fount is in the Manueline style from the 16rth century.

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