Castelo de Vide - The Sintra of Alentejo
I visited this town for the first time this year and surprisingly it was even prettier and nicer than I was expecting. It lies within the mountain range of Serra de São Mamede and has a micro climate, making is very lush, green, full of fruit trees and roses throughout the city and the valley where it is situated. A medieval stone wall is encircling the city and on the highest peak lies the castle, there is a burgo inside the castle (where the citizens lived before, extra protected by the inner walls) and a Judiaria (Jewish ghetto) where the Jewish population of the city had to stay and live in during medieval times and during the inquisition here in Portugal. This region of Portugal has had a strong presence of Romans, Moors and Jews as well as being an important stronghold for the Portuguese when they fought against Spain during the Restoration War in the 1600's. I do love the city heraldry where you will find the big castle surrounded by grapes and vines.Since...