Fearless Geraldo, just like the legendary English Robin Hood or the Castilian hero El Cid, was the leader of a group of raiders and outlaws. He developed tactics that proved remarkably successful in seizing the strongholds held by the Moors. He perfected techniques of nocturnal surprise, stealthy escalating of walls, disarming sentries and opening  the town gates to the larger forces stationed outside

Geraldo became a crucial figure in the conquest of Evora, Evoramonte and nearby villages from the Moors. His endless courage made him a legend.

Photograph from Camara Municipal de Reguengos de Monsaraz

In Monsaraz the olive press mill has turned into a restaurant museum.

The Press Room gave way to the restaurant room. The colours, the floors, the roof trusses, the presses, all that remained of the original mill were kept.

The Sem-Fim (meaning endless) is a machine, a spindle that carried the olives from the tubs, where they were cleaned to the mixer. They were ground and the resulting paste spread on the Mouriscas where it was then pressed. From here the decanted olive oil dripped into the large deposits of scalding water.

Here you may also book a trip aboard the classic 1913 Dutch sailboat: Sem- Fim. Sail in the great Alqueva lake and stop at the Ilha Dourada (Golden Island)

Located in the Nautical Center of Monsaraz, this river beach awarded with the Blue Flag and classified as “Accessible for all”, offers water sports, surveillance services and extends for 130 m along the banks of the Alqueva

The existence of clay deposits in this area of Reguengos de Monsaraz has made this place one of the largest pottery centres in the country. This tradition dates back to prehistoric times, but you can still find several potteries in operation and see the clay being shaped by the experienced hands of the master potter on his wheel. You may purchase one of the many utility pieces, such as large wine and freshwater pitchers, olive preservation containers and various bowls and platters decorated with the regional motifs.

The gradual fixation of man led to the placement of granite boulders as a form of delimitation of their property. However, they were mainly used for fertility worship and to explain the unknown, namely atmospheric phenomena.

Examples are the Belhoa menhir, Outeiro menhir, Olival da Pega Anta and the cromlech of Xerez

The cromlech of Xerez is an extraordinary megalithic monument comprised of 50 granite menhirs. It must have been built between the early fourth millennium or mid-third millennium BC. The cromlech of Xerez is interesting for its square shape: at the centre a 4 meter high and 75 centimetres wide and weighing 7 tons menhir surrounded by small monoliths.

The reconstitution of the composition of these 50 menhirs was possible after some research since the monoliths were spread apart by the agricultural works.

The Rocha dos Namorados (Lovers Rock) is still related to the cult of fecundity. A granite boulder situated 500 m from the village of S Pedro do Corval. An unimpressive rock in the shape of a mushroom, with some loose stones on top. Based on the pagan legend, every Easter Monday the maidens will consult this menhir to know how long before they would be wedded. Each stone thrown to the top of menhir that rolled off represents the number of years she would have to wait.

The Herdade do Esporão is one of the oldest wine tourism complexes in Portugal. Opened in 1997 it has been recently refurbished. It has a restaurant catering for wine and Alentejo cuisine enthusiasts, a wine bar and a shop where you can buy local produce: Wine and Olive Oil

Set out to discover the vineyards, vegetable gardens, cellars and wineries and the archaeological complex of Perdigões through the guided tours available. Or relax and enjoy wine and olive oil tastings

More on Herdade do Esporão in Monsaraz

The Alentejo wine is much appreciated so if you fancy an inside look at the industry visit the Herdade do Esporão winery in Monsaraz.

Wheat and wide plains where herds of swine graze freely under the oak plantations and elderly olive groves dot the immense countryside have made bread, pork and olive the master ingredients in the Alentejo kitchens combined with aromatic herbs such as coriander, parsley, rosemary, oregano and mint.

Try the açorda, an Alentejo soup made with water, olive oil, garlic, a poached egg, bread and coriander

These typical alentejo blankets, with Arab origin motifs, are made in looms handled by weavers that are inspired by the colours of the Alentejo countryside 

Fábrica Alentejana de Lanifícios de Mizette Nielsen
(Reguengos de Monsaraz)

Furniture with regional features that have made them unique handicraft pieces and very popular due to their simplicity, art and liveliness of colours