Nestling a few kilometres inland from the Algarve's rugged west
coast, Aljezur is an attractive little place of striking white
houses and red roofs, surrounded by oak woods and fields emblazoned
with wild flowers. Lying along a narrow river, the town was
founded by the Arabs and conquered by the Portuguese in 1246. What to see. Reached via the old quarter, Aljezur's domineering
hilltop castle affords a commanding view of the surrounding
countryside. Built of sandstone, it was constructed by the Moors
in the 10th century but was badly damaged during the great eathquake
of 1755. The parish church built after the earthquake has a
fine Neo-Classical altarpiece credited to José da Costa
of Faro. Nearby. Just outside Aljezur exists an area of cultivated
land where the old medieval system of strip farming is still
practised. Employing narrow plots bordered by irrigation ditches,
this system is used for crop rotation worked mostly by hand
due to the lack of space for modern machinery. Up a steep, winding
road 7 km to the west of Aljezur is the captivating seashore
village and beach of Monte Clérigo, a paradise for sunbathers
and surfers alike. Arrifana nearby boasts a magnificent sandy
beach, one of the best in the region.
