Monsaraz - Portugal

The 4th card of the Alentejo meeting, the 2nd on this post, was sent by Vitória. The 1st is a RAS card send by Miguel. Both are from Monsaraz, a medieval village in the heart of the Alentejo region. I'd love to visit this place.

In 1157 Monsaraz was conquered from the Moors and in 1167 the locality was donated to the Templars and in 1319 to the Order of Christ.
For centuries, the Monsaraz Castle had a very important role guarding the Guadiana river, and thus the border with Spain.
Monsaraz is surrounded by an astonishing landscape, and from the top of the Castle one can appreciate all its splendour.
All the same, Monsaraz possess valuable and beautiful monuments, based in schist painted in bright white buildings, with houses coming up and down the hill, in a magical environment that seems to have been lost in time. - in: http://www.getportugal.com/en/poi-monsaraz-14903

On this card there's the Nossa Senhora da Lagoa Church (16th and 17th century), the pillory and the main street.