Attractions and Places To See around Sabugueiro - Top 11

The patron saint of the village is Our Lady of Brotas, a devotion dating back to the 15th century. According to tradition, this devotion originated in the village of Águias, more specifically in the place called Brotas da Barroca, which at that time was completely uninhabitable due to its extreme humidity and the large pit surrounded by ravines, which local toponymy designated as Inferno, Inferninho, and Purgatório (Hell, Little Hell, and Purgatory). Legend tells that while a shepherd was tending his cow there, it carelessly slipped and fell dead to the bottom of the pit. When he realized what had happened, the shepherd, deprived of his main source of income to support his family, confided his grief to the Virgin, imploring her protection. Next, he began to skin the animal, and after cutting off the leg that had broken from the violent fall, the Blessed Virgin appeared to him, advising him to remain calm and asking him to tell the inhabitants of Águias to build a chapel there, saying that as soon as he returned he would find the cow alive. The shepherd did so, and when he returned to that place with his countrymen, the cow was already grazing as if nothing had happened, and from the leg that had been cut off, an image of the Virgin had appeared. Shortly before 1424, the hermitage was erected there, as a simple commandery of the Military Order of Saint Benedict of Avis and dependent on the town of Águias. And the image of Our Lady of Brotas was preserved there, about a hand's breadth tall and made of bone, perfectly harmonizing with the details of tradition. (Source: www.cm-mora.pt/locai)

Arraiolos rugs (tapetes de Arraiolos) are embroidered Portuguese needlework rugs traditionally crafted by hand in the town of Arraiolos, north of Évora, in Portugal. The Arraiolos rug technique is a form of cross-stitch that completely covers the linen foundation. Early Arraiolos rugs utilized designs derived from the Persians by way of the Moors, from whom the Portuguese learned the craft. By 1410, there were about 100 carpet workshops in Lisbon, but by 1551 persecution of the Moors had reduced the number to 6. Convent workshops continued to produce rugs replacing the early Persian designs with Portuguese folk-art patterns in more limited colors. By latter part of the 19th century, the making of Arraiolos rugs practically did not exist, being reduced to embroiderers that made rugs to order or for their own household. A workshop founded in 1916 in Évora helped revive the faltering industry; it is now regulated by a professional organization.

Arraiolos, the Alentejo village which needs no introduction, located in the heart of the region. The quality of the motifs and unique stitches of Arraiolos carpets as well as the peculiar circular castle put the village on the tourist map. But there are many distinctive factors able to attract you to this place only around 12.4 mi / 20 km from Evora, where the urban houses dot the slope sighting a charming rural municipality.

The Arraiolos Castle, or Paço dos Alcaides, is a 14th century castle located in Central Alentejo. Although it is not the largest castle in the region, it has a curious and almost unique peculiarity in the world, which makes it stand out in an area of the country with so many buildings of this type: its layout is circular architecture. For those who arrive in the town of Arraiolos (or pass through the surrounding region) it is impossible not to see the Arraiolos Castle, which stands proudly in the landscape, at the top of Monte de São Pedro. Historically, the Arraiolos Castle has had several roles. It was built in 1306 by D. Dinis, housing the population within its walls. Later it was the county seat of D. Nuno Álvares Pereira, 2nd Count of Arraiolos, who lived here for many years. Due to the cold and wind resulting from its location, it ended up losing many of its inhabitants. In an attempt to keep some of the population inside the walls, they began to be closed every night after the bell rang, which continued for several decades. However, the population eventually spread out along the surrounding slopes and three centuries after it was built, the Castle began to be looted for materials, eventually falling into ruins. It was during the reign of King John IV that it underwent major renovation work, but it eventually fell into ruins again, worsened by the earthquake of 1755. Between 1959 and 1963, it was partially restored by the State, achieving the appearance it still has today.

End of the eco-path starting in Evora.

Very nice complex with a view of the surroundings.

Carpet exhibition and historical information about life and country.

Nice museum with beautiful Tapetes de Arraiolos, embroidered wool carpets.