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Southern Alentejo,
Portugal
Monte da Quinta sits
conveniently on the edge
of the town of Castro
Verde with an elevated
view to the South-east
over open countryside.
Just a five
minute walk takes you
into its central
streets, with shops,
bars and restaurants. Castro Verde is located within the centre
of the lower Alentejo region.
Located to the
South-east side of
Castro Verde
View our location on
Panoramio - Castro Verde
NORTH - 90 minutes
north is Lisboa the
capital city of Portugal
EAST
- 60 minutes east is the
beautiful Spanish border
SOUTH
- 40 minutes south lies
the popular Algarve
Region
WEST
- 40 minutes west lies the
unspoilt Atlantic
coast line
Geology
Mine activity in this
region goes back
thousands of years, with
remains
of mining structures
dating back to Roman
times when the area
played a significant
role in the expansion of
Roman metallurgy. This
southern area of
Lusitania, being
a Roman province for
several centuries, was
an abundant source of
mineral
ore
which included Gold,
Silver, Copper, Tin,
Lead and Iron.
Along with mining
activities, the area
became a vast area of
grain production and
cattle/sheep grazing.
The richness and
abundance of these
combined 'base
economies' grew to such
extent that Castro Verde
became a regional center
of commerce and thus a
crossroad of cultures
within the Mediterranean
area.
White Lands
Although
it is characterised by
vast and sunny plains,
with apparently endless
wheat-fields, the Alentejo always offers
new landscapes. The
plains of Castro Verde,
full of thousands of
white flowers during
spring, are excellent
for walks by foot or by
bicycle, and then you
can fully appreciate the
fauna and flora typical
of the region’s flat
lands.
This vast open space is
chosen by white storks
to make their nests.
At the Monte das
Azinheiras (Holm-oaks
Hill) there are more
than sixty couples.
Bustards, hawks and
vultures also prefer the
solitude of the golden
plains. Some streams
create the ideal
environment for frogs,
salamanders and
tortoises. The wild boar
prefers the
oak-plantations,
full or acorns, or
scraping the soil in
search of truffle.
Historical Towns
To
the north are the towns
of Beja the capital of the Alentejo province, Evora, Mertola and
Lisbon; all beautiful towns and steeped in history. Lisbon, the country’s capital, is approximately a ninety minute drive on a newly built toll-road. Alternatively, it is accessible by train from Garvao, a short distance from Castro Verde. To the south are the towns of Faro,
Portimao, Loule, Albufeira, and
Tavira. All can be reached by car, bus or rail (to Faro).
From the Airports
A brand new toll road
(A2) from Faro to
Lisbon provides an alternative choice of
Airport and route to Castro Verde.
The A2 exit is approx 5
kilometres from Castro
Verde. Both routes offer spectacular scenery through the Algarve and the Alentejo regions.
Beja Airport is
due to open in Spring
2010, just a 30 minute
drive from Castro Verde.
Directions from
Faro Airport
and
Lisbon Airport
Fifty minutes on
the motorway (A2) from Faro Airport (the toll charge is 5 euros).
An hour and a
half on the
motorway (A2)
from Lisbon Airport
(the toll charge
is under 15
euros).
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