The best MTB trails around Monfurado

São Cristovão is a village in the Alentejo region, belonging to the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo. The foundation of this parish must predate 1534. The former parish of São Cristovão, within the territory of Montemor-o-Novo, was a curacy under the patronage of the Archbishop of Évora. Its economic activity is based on agriculture, livestock farming, bread making, and cattle breeding. São Cristovão is a white and welcoming village, smiling at every visitor, with natural heritage open to those who know how to discover it. It undoubtedly deserves a visit, especially for lovers of Alentejo gastronomy. There are good routes to explore by hiking or cycling in the area.

We are in the Central Alentejo, in the district of Évora, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, to visit the parish of São Cristovão. Halfway between Montemor-o-Novo and Alcácer do Sal, São Cristovão is a village on the sea plain on the way to the beaches. The origin of this village is closely linked to a legend, in which Saint Christopher is credited with choosing the location of the church, which is why the people chose this Saint as their Patron Saint and the unifying symbol of their Faith. The narrow valley of the Ribeira de São Cristovão is home to several "monuments" of natural architecture. On the edge of the village is the Church of São Cristovão, built in the 16th century. Inside it is a curious 16th century sculpture of the Patron Saint. The visit to São Cristovão continues with a trip to the so-called "Heel of the World" and the megalithic complex of Tojal. The "Heel of the World" is a large rock in the narrow and impressive valley of the Ribeira de São Cristovão. The foundation of this parish must have been before 1534. The old parish of São Cristovão, in the Montemor-o-Novo area, was a parish under the presentation of the Archbishop of Évora. Its economic activity is based on agriculture, livestock farming, baking and cattle breeding. São Cristovão is a white and welcoming village, smiling at each visitor, a natural heritage open to those who know how to discover it. It is undoubtedly worth a visit, especially for lovers of Alentejo cuisine.

Popular space where affordable meals are served, except on Sundays, as this is the establishment's day off.

Montemor-o-Novo Castle is located in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Vila, in the municipality of Montemor-o-Novo, in the district of Évora, in Alentejo, Portugal. In a dominant position on the highest hill in the region, the castle originally sheltered the village within its walls, which, as it developed, expanded along the slope to the north. Historical documents confirm that Vasco da Gama finalized his plans for his voyage to India in this castle. Background The earliest human occupation of this site possibly dates back to a prehistoric Romanized fort, according to the abundant archaeological evidence in the region. This was where the Roman roads from Santarém and the mouth of the River Tagus met, continuing via Évora to Mérida. The site would have been fortified for this reason. Centuries later, during the Muslim invasion of the Iberian Peninsula, the name Almançor remained in the region, in the toponymy of the Almansor river. Some authors claim that there was also a Muslim fortification here. The medieval castle During the Christian reconquest of the Iberian Peninsula, the town was conquered by Portuguese forces under the command of D. Sancho I (1185-1211). With a view to repopulating and defending it, the sovereign granted it a Charter in 1203. It is believed that the construction of the medieval castle began at this stage. During the reign of D. Dinis (1279-1325), major reforms were undertaken to the town's defences, including the construction of the town's fence, which was completed in 1365. Once the Avis dynasty was established, the domain of Montemor-o-Novo became a third part of the lordship of Constable D. Nuno Álvares Pereira. Throughout the 15th century, the castle underwent renovation work, carried out by master stonemason Afonso Mendes de Oliveira. In the 15th and 16th centuries, the town reached its greatest prosperity, due not only to regional trade, but also to the fact that the Court remained for long periods in Évora, which made the town the scene of events such as the Cortes of 1495, when King Manuel I (1495-1521) decided to discover the sea route to India. This sovereign granted the town a new charter in 1503. Later, under the reign of King Sebastian (1557-1578), it was granted the title of Notable Town (1563), considering it to be an ancient place with a large population.

Symbol of Montemor-o-Novo

Montemor-o-Novo Castle is the original site of the medieval town of Montemor-o-Novo. This castle was conquered from the Moors by order of D. Afonso Henriques, and its current walls were built during the reign of D. Dinis. It was gradually abandoned by the population from the 15th century onwards, and today it preserves important testimonies of the medieval and modern history of Montemor-o-Novo, such as sections of the wall, the Paço dos Alcaides, the Church of Santiago (currently the Castle Interpretation Centre), the Church of Santa Maria do Bispo, the Clock Tower, the Porta da Vila, the Porta do Anjo, the Torre da Má Hora and the Convento da Saudação. (Source: https://www.feriasemportugam.com)

The railway line, which was closed in 1988, was given new life in March 2009. Now known as the "Ecopista do Montado", the old route serves as a cycle and hiking path and runs for a total of 12.87 kilometers from the old Montemor-o-Novo train station over an old railway bridge, through the "Serra de Monfurado" nature reserve, to the old "Torre da Gadanha" train station. https://www.portugalismo.de/montemor-o-novo-alentejo/

These lands have always been a point of contention between the rich and the peasants, between herders and farmers and between local groups and central authorities