Ourique: Travel and tourism

Located on a zone of transition between Alentejo and Algarve, the county of Ourique naturally includes characteristics of the two regions, displaying semi-arid plains on the north and a landscape of abundant vegetation and rolling hills further south.

The town of Ourique, with bright white-washed houses rising on three small hills, boasts of several sites of interest, such as the 16th-century Miserichord Church, rebuilt in the 18th century and displaying an elegant façade, the 17th-century Miserichord Hospital, exhibiting doors and windows of carved stonework, or the pleasant belvedere built on the remains of the ancient castle.

However, Ourique's most interesting patrimony is the abundance of Pre-historic remains found across the county, namely the unusual Necropolis of Atalaia, dating from the end of the Bronze Age, and Castro da Cola, a fortified settlement associated to the fighting between Lusitanian tribes and the Romans and including remains from earlier occupations.

Nearby, the Chapel of Our Lady of Cola is a regional pilgrimage sanctuary.

The county is also known for the famous battle of 1139, when Afonso Henriques defeated the Moors and declared himself the first king of Portugal, although there are different opinions about the exact site of the combat.

Another site worth visiting is the Monte da Rocha Dam, with its tranquil waters and lovely natural scenery.

Local handicrafts include works in wood and cork, pottery, embroideries and lace.

At table, besides traditional Alentejo specialities, Ourique boats of two typical dishes: a soup of purslane and another with pennyroyal, bread and eggs, poejada de Ourique.