Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
BAIXO ALENTEJO
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Mértola
POP 2000
Spectacularly set on a rocky spur, high above the peaceful Rio Guadiana, the cobbled
streets of medieval Mértola are a delightful place to roam. A small but imposing castle
stands high, overlooking the jumble of dazzlingly white houses and a picturesque church
that was once a mosque. A long bout of economic stagnation at this remote town has left
many traces of Islamic occupation intact, so much so that Mértola is considered a
vila
museu
(open-air museum). To let Mértola's magic do its thing, you need more than a quick
visit here.
Mértola comes to life every two years in May (dates change but it's uneven numbered
years) during the town's Islamic Festival, when it is decorated to resemble a souk. Music,
handicrafts and festivities continue for several days.
MÉRTOLA'S MUSEUMS
Mértola's wonderful group of
museums
(1 museum adult/concession €2/1, combined ticket €5/2.50; 9am-12.30pm
& 2-5.30pm Tue-Sun) have the same opening hours and form an excellent tour of the town.
Casa Romana
(Roman House; Largo Luís de Camões) In the cellar of the
câmara municipal
is the enchanting
Casa Romana. This clever display allows the visitor to walk 'through' the foundations of the Roman house upon
which the building rests, and brings it to life with its small collection of pots, sculpture and other artefacts.
Museu Islâmico
(Largo de Misericordia) At the southern end of the old town, the Islamic Museum is a small but
dramatic display of inscribed funerary stones, jewellery, pots and jugs from the 11th to 13th centuries.
Museu de Arte Sacra
(Museum of Ecclesiastical Art; Largo da Misericórdia) Housed in the former Misericórdia
church, the Museu de Arte Sacra exhibits religious statuettes from the 16th to 18th centuries and several impressive
16th-century retables from the village and castle churches; some portray the battle against the Moors.
Museu Paleocristão
(Palaeo-Christian Museum; Rossio do Carmo) North of the old town is this museum, which
features a partly reconstructed line of 6th-century Roman columns and poignant funerary stones, some of which are
beautifully carved with birds, hearts and wreaths. It was the site of a huge Palaeo-Christian basilica, and the adja-
cent cemetery was used over the centuries by both Roman-era Christians and medieval Moors.
History
