Wednesday 16th April 2025
Heading further south, we called in at the small, medieval town of Mértola with its castle and narrow cobbled streets. There seems to be an abundance of this type of settlement down this eastern side of Portugal.
Located at the highest navigable point of the Guadiana River, which makes it strategically important, there is a distinct multi-cultural historical vibe to the town. It has been inhabited since the Iron Age. This area has been under the control of the Romans (1st and 2nd centuries), Germanic Tribes (6th and 7th centuries) Moorish (8th to 13th centuries – 400 years), and then the Christians from 1238, after being conquered by the Portuguese King Sanchez II.
Much of the town sits behind/above defensive walls. The castle, of course, sits at the top of the hill dominating the skyline, and therefore commands views over all the surrounding countryside:
The castle overlooks an archaeological dig of an islamic settlement, which we were able to explore:
Roman mosaics and a Christian baptismal place, within the Islamic settlement:
The church clearly shows some islamic influence in its style. Built on the site of a Roman Temple, then around the 4th century, a Christian church. During the 13th century, during the Islamic period, it was converted into a mosque until in 1238, the Lords of the Order of Saint James, made it into a Christian church again.
Inside, it is very unusual in design, being wider than it is long. As you enter, near to the tower, the altar is to your right:
The current vaulted ceiling was constructed around the middle of the 16th century as a part of its restoration as the building had fallen into disrepair.
This evening, we are staying on a private motorhome park-up which is behind a bar, near to the village of Odeleite, which we have not explored. We are, however, enjoying an almost panoramic view in very quiet countryside.
That’s it for today. See u later. TTFN.
"See-u-Later" 