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Beja - History
This city is the capital of the Baixa Alentejo District and
maintains attractive visible evidence of its historic background. It is
recorded as existing in 48 AC after the Roman Emperor Julius Caesar gave it
the name of Pax Julia and declared it as a regional capital. However,
there is evidence that the location was inhabited since the Bronze Age. The
Town Square was originally the site of its Roman Forum. The Moors renamed
the town when they occupied it, and but for a brief time in 715, they were
firmly entrenched from 711 to 1162. In this later year the Kings forces led
by Fernão Gonçalves drove out the Moors who later in 1165 were also driven
out of the neighbouring fortified town of Serpa. During the War of
Independence between Spain and Portugal (1640-1667), Beja played its
part more than once in being successfully attacked and occupied by the both
sides of the conflict. In more recent times the French sacked the city and
massacred the inhabitants during the year 1808. In 1962 the now venerated
General António Delgado led an army uprising that was destined to
quickly fail against the strength of the Salazar regime.
Beja - Description
The city with about 22.000 population has a number of ancient buildings and
the name Beja as used today was given to it by the occupying Moors
in the 6th Century. The Convento da Nossa Senhora da Conceição
dating from 1459 is both visually interesting and enjoys international fame
from the 1669 French publication of the celebrated “Lettres Portugaises”.
These were five lyric love letters by a 26 year-old nun named Mariana
Alcoforado to her lover the Comte de Saint-Léger after he
deserted her. The Convent is an architectural mixture of Gothic, Manueline,
Baroque, with Hispanic-Arab tiles. It also houses the Museu Regional da
Rainha Dona Leonor. This museum contains many items that reflect the
various cultures that have influenced the region since Pre-Historic times.
These take the form of ceramics, glass, bronze, iron, coins, mosaics,
sculptures, carvings and art. The 13th Century Capela dos Tumulos do
Convento de São Francisco is attached to the building that has been
rebuilt as a Pousada. As you approach the City you can not fail to notice
the 13th Century Torre de Menagem, the keep of the original castle
built by Dom Dinis. The impressive tower stands 36 metres high and
has an interior staircase of 183 steps that may be climbed. Adjoining the
castle walls the Igreja de Santo André dates back to the 4th Century
and is one of the few standing Visigoth churches in Portugal. It also acts
as a museum for this little know about period. A specialty of the town is
the “Pão de Rala” bread-cake made with pumpkin.
Beja - Nearby Locations
To the north west of the Beja is the town of Alvito with
pre-Roman origins. It boasts having the only castle built in Portugal that
was not as a residence for its King. The Barons and Marquises of Alvito,
and the Counts of Oriola, enjoyed such influential favour in the
royal courts during the 15th and 16th Centuries that they were permitted to
construct the palace that now has been converted into a charming Pousada.
There are several interesting buildings in this attractive small town that
also date back to Roman times. The Chapel of São Sebastião is striking in
its classical simplicity whilst inside are interesting frescos and
underneath the building are some caves dating back to at least the 12th
Century. In the town the 13th Century Parish Church is of architectural
interest. Slightly further to the north is the Sanctuary of Santa
Águeda that is worth a visit.
To the northeast of Beja is the town of Vidigueira with its
rich association with the family of the explorer Vasco da Gama who
acquired its rights from the King in 1519. Close to here, at Vila
de Frades, are the 2nd Century Roman ruin of the Ermida de São
Cucufate. This is the only remaining Roman villa with two floors in the
whole of the Iberian peninsular and with frescos dating between the 1st and
the 17th Century.
To the north of this town is another interesting place named Portel.
The town lies beneath and around its commanding 14th Century castle. In
history it played a part in freeing Portugal from the rule of the Castilians
when a sympathetic monk betrayed his pro-Castilian master.
To the east of Beja in the direction of the Spanish border is the
town of Serpa. This well fortified town with its interior 13th
Century castle has had a long military history dating back to perhaps before
1.000 BC. Today, the town provides a fascinating visit for any tourist with
its abundance of historical and architectural remnants of the past and its
fame for making cheese. Within this town are various Museums. A particular
one is a fascinating private museum devoted to the history of the watch. It
records 350 years of watch making with over 1.600 working pieces collected
from all over the world. This is one of the few museums of its kind outside
of Switzerland. Also, particular to the inhabitants of this town is a special
ancient chant that the inhabitants vocally render on public occasions and has
a Gregorian sound.
To the north of Serpa is the ancient and once important fortified
town of Moura. There exists here another fable or story that the town
was taken from the Moors by the Christian forces with the help of a Princess
who was so in love with a Knight that she opened the castle gates to allow
the Christians to secretly enter and take the town. The present ruins of the
castle originally date back to the 14th Century. The castle and the later
constructed town walls were both destroyed when occupied by the Spanish
occupation in 1707. This town and its surroundings is also well established
as the best area in Portugal for the production of quality olive oil.
To the east of this town on the border with Spain is the smaller town of
Barrancos. This town has gained notoriety in recent years as it is
the first location in Portugal where the inhabitants have reverted to the
killing the bull in the bullring as is practiced in neighbouring Spain.
Beyond Beja to the south at Pisões on the road to Aljustrel,
is a semi-excavated important Roman villa.
Further to the south east of Beja is the town of Mértola.
This ancient small town is worth a visit as it has played an important role
in the history of the region. This inland town was once well linked to the
coast by means of the River Guadiana that today flows past as a very small
river in comparison to what it must have been when trading ships sailed up
from the coast to load produce. Ruins from the Romans, Visigoths and Moors
indicate the importance of the trade and copper mining that once made it so
important. Beside the Castle, there are three interesting museums devoted to
the different periods of occupation, one of which is in the basement of the
Town Hall.
Beja Weather (detailed)
Detailed Fonte de Telha weather conditionsum
Beja Photos
Town Park
· View of Town
· Castle Walls
· Monastery
· Rural
· Street
· Typical Roofs
· Castle Gate
· View of Beja Castle
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Beja Events |
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| Festival de Maias |
May |
| Town Holiday |
1st June |
| Festival de Nossa Senhora da Graça |
1st week August |
| Festival de São Lourenço |
2nd week August |
| Festival de Nossa Senhora da Luz |
3rd August
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Beja Towns
Castelo de Vide
· Elvas
· Estremoz
· Évora
· Monsaraz
· Portalegre
· Santarém
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Beja Telephone Numbers
7800