The unique medieval round houses of the Alentejo

Near Marvão and Castelo de Vide hidden away in some small sleepy Alentejo villages you can find these unique medieval stone round houses called "choças".
These circular buildings are from the iron age, more than two thousand years old. They are made with dry stone walls and conical roofs made out of broom.
You can find several of these in the villages of Barretos and Cabeçudos and in the last century some families still lived in them.
Most of them are now used as storage or are in a ruined state and have been abandoned.
These unique buildings should be restored and kept as part of Marvão and Alto Alentejo heritage.

A wonderful Alentejo village

Barretos is a friendly small Portuguese village virtually untouched by time. A place of olive groves, cork oak trees, ancient pathways and unique medieval stone round houses called "choças", where in the last century families still lived.
It is our home from home, where we can slow down, relax, listen to the birds sing, sheep bells clang and rise to the beautiful Alentejo morning light.
The wonderful views are to Marvão, an imposing castle and whitewashed town perched on a hill and Castelo de Vide with its Gothic doorways, famous Jewish quarter and castle. Reminders of the arduous battles and life of the past, now places of peace and beauty.
Barretos, a place where we always regret leaving and count the days until the next stay.
http://www.casabrasao.com/

Passeio pedestre perto de Marvão

Um passeio pedestre perto de Marvão 

Passeio pedestre (5.6 kilometros) Barretos - Beirã e volta para Barretos e a Casa da Brasão,uma casa de férias situada na extremidade de uma pequena vila alentejana, com jardim e piscina. Acomoda 4 a 6 pessoas (2 quartos duplos e um quarto com 2 camas de criança).

A região de Marvão e da Serra de São Mamede, reserva natural protegida, é um sítio fantástico para passeios.

http://www.casabrasao-pt.com/ 

A walk near Marvão

Thanks to Terry and Pat for taking us on this great walk from Barretos to Beirã.
This walk (5.6 km) takes you through the beautiful Alentejo countryside to the village of Beirã where you can take a break for a snack or coffee and return back to Barretos and Casa do Brasão.

See the map attached for the walk.

RATE MARVÃO CASTLE

Rate Marvão Castle

http://www.topcastles.com/kastelen.php?SubMenu=main&SelCastle=marvao&Language=en

Alto Alentejo article in The New York Times

Alto Alentejo article in The New York Times.
See this article and look at the great photos on the slide show.

http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/11/08/travel/08next.html?scp=3&sq=Marvao&st=cse

Geo-trekking in Marvão

Incentivos Outdoor with the Council of Marvão are organizing themed walks in the Marvão area for February.
These themed walks are: cultural, heritage, flora & fauna, birdwatching, night and others.
The price of the guided walks are 12.50 euros including coffee.
see: http://geo-trekking.blogspot.com
or telephone: 966504149

A Incentivos Outdoor, empresa de animação turistica a operar em Marvão, vai organizar no proximo mês de Fevereiro em parceria com a Camara Municipal de Marvão, um programa de Passeios Pedestres no territorio de Marvão.Estes passeios são realizados diariamente com diversas tematicas, culturais, patrimonio, observação de fauna e flora, observação de aves, passeios noctirnos, entre outras.
O preço por passeio é de 12,50 euros estando incluido welcome coffe, acompanhamento de monitores e seguros.O calendario de passeios pode ser consultado no nosso site http://geo-trekking.blogspot.com sendo as inscrições e informações através do email visitmarvao@gmail.com ou pelo telefone 966504149
Esperamos por si em Marvão