About Reguengos de Monsaraz

Reguengos de Monsaraz is a municipality in Portugal’s Alentejo region. The town of Monsaraz, which is the municipal seat, is located on a hilltop overlooking the Alentejo plains and the nearby lake,Lagoa de Monsaraz. The municipality covers an area of 546.7 square kilometers and as of 2011 had a population of 9,773. The town of Monsaraz has a long history, dating back to prehistoric times. The first settlers were the Celtic tribe of the Lusitanians. Later, the Romans occupied the town and named it Miradouro. During the Moorish occupation, the town was known as Mucaria. After the expulsion of the Moors, Monsaraz was given to D. Afonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal. The castle and walls of Monsaraz were built during the 13th century, and the town became an important strategic point, due to its location on the border between Portugal and Spain. During the Portuguese Inquisition, Monsaraz was one of the places where suspected witches were brought for trial. Today, Monsaraz is a popular tourist destination, due to its well-preserved medieval castle, its views over the Alentejo plains and its proximity to the lake. The municipality of Reguengos de Monsaraz is located in the southeast of Portugal, in the district of Évora. It is bounded by the municipalities of Moura, Beja, Mora, Portalegre and Évora. The municipality covers an area of 546.7 square kilometers and as of 2011 had a population of 9,773. The economy of the municipality is based on agriculture, livestock, forestry, handicrafts and tourism. The town of Monsaraz is a popular tourist destination, due to its well-preserved medieval castle, its views over the Alentejo plains and its proximity to the lake. Other points of interest in the municipality include the ruins of the castle of São Lourenço da Barrosa, the windmills of São Domingos and the Megalithic monument of Cromeleque do Xefinjo.