The Alcoutim’s territory gathers a rich and diversified cultural heritage. Here you can find several arquelogical elements, including a specific museum, different monuments, traditional constructions, hand craft shops, traditional gastronomy, among others. Here are the most significant and interesting elements:
- The megalithic Set at Lavajo (3500 B.C.) consists of alignments of three menhirs and four stela-menhirs which are approximately 250 metres apart from each other.
- Antado Malhão (Dolmen). The dolmen is located at the top of the highest point of the region, next to the city road 507 and before the village of Alfonso Vicente. The monument is totally intact, a very rare situation and an exception in Portugal.
- The castle of the village (c. XIV) built at the beginning of the XIV century during the kingdom of D. Dinis with the clear intention of creating a "stopping Line" or a surveillance line near the frontier. Constructed near the important connection line, the Guadiana, the polygonal shaped fortress main function was to control or avoid invasions of the kingdom, a sort of safety bolt. The castle was at the time stage for many wars, but also for peace treaties, such as the Peace Treaty of Alcoutim, which took place on 31st March 1371, between D. Fernando de Portugal and D. Henrique de Castela, which ended the first Ferdinand War.
- Archaeological museum in the Castle of Alcoutim
Churches \ Chapels:
- Church of Salvador do Alcoutim;
- Church of Nossa Sr.ª da Conceição (Arte Sacra museum );
- Chapel of Santo António
- The “old” castle of Alcoutim (c. VIII/XI). VIII/XI). This Islamic defence structure is one of the few examples of an inhabited fortress in Portugal, located on a hill with a strategic position overviewing the river Guadiana, approximately 1,5 kilometres north of the village Alcoutim. Occupied from the VIII/IX centuries (Amirid period) until the XI century (period of the Taifa kingdoms), consists of two fortified areas: an upper part – the fortress, and the other one, in the middle of the slope – the citadel.
More attractive sights
- Casa dos Condes (House of the counts );
- Casa do artesanato (House of handicrafts) ;
- Traditional fisher boats
- Sculptures: fisherman, smuggler and customs officer;
- The Alcoutim river beach
HANDICRAFTS
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Casa de Artesanato (House of handicrafts): In the historical village of Alcoutim, right in front of the "Casa dos Condes" (House of counts) and next to the tourist office. In this house you may find a large selection of beautiful handicrafts pieces designed by the talented artisans of this region.
Address: Rua 1º de Maio, s/n
8970- 056 Alcoutim
E-mail: amoira@iol.pt
Open from Saturday to Wednesday, from 9.00 till 17.00.
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