Alandroal (), officially Alandroal Town (), is a municipality in the Portuguese district of Évora located on the eastern frontier with Spain along the right margin of the Guadiana River in the Central Alentejo region. It is located above sea level, northeast of Évora and southeast of Estremoz. The population in 2011 was 5,843, in an area of 542.68&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>.

History

thumb|235px|left|The historical castle walls and the classical parochial church

With the completion of the castle in 1298, by Lourenço Afonso (9th Master of the Order of Aviz), the noble fulfilled his obligation to King Denis of Portugal to expand the territory that would form Alandroal. By 1359, the church of Alandroal was incorporated under the commander of the Order of Avis, but it was only a century later (1486) that John II would issue a foral (charter) for the town. Alandroal was elevated to town at this time, while only including the parish of Nossa Senhora da Conceição. A second foral was conceded in 1514 by his successor, Manuel I of Portugal. In 1340, the Moors had invaded from Andaluzia, resulting in an alliance between Alfonso XI of Castile and his father-in-law, Afonso IV of Portugal, that culminated in the Battle of Río Salado.

  • Alandroal (Nossa Senhora da Conceição), São Brás dos Matos (Mina do Bugalho) e Juromenha (Nossa Senhora do Loreto)
  • Capelins (Santo António)
  • Santiago Maior
  • Terena (São Pedro)

The city of Alandroal is one of three towns in the municipality, along with Terena and Juromenha.

  • Fortified settlement/sanctuary of Endovelicus ()

Civic

thumb|235px|The baroque-style fountain of Praça

  • Farmers Guild of Alandroal ()
  • Fountain of Praça ()
  • Great Mill of São Brás dos Matos ()
  • Mill of Azenhas d'el Rei ()
  • Municipal Hall of Alandroal ()
  • Municipal Hall of Terena ()
  • Old Bridge of Terena (over the Ribeira de Lucefécit) ()
  • Pillory of Alandroal ()
  • Pillory of Juromenha ()
  • Pillory of Terena ()
  • Spring of the Misericórdia ()

Military

thumb|235px|The fortified walls of the castle of Terena

  • Castle of Alandroal (), is a castle constructed during the reign of King D. Denis, dated 6 February 1294; its cornerstone was laid-down by Lourenço Afonso, 9th Master of the Order of Avis;
  • Castle of Terena (), Gil Martins and his wife, D. Maria João were responsible for its founding in 1262, to support the interests of King D. Denis to consolidate his kingdom's frontiers;
  • Fortress of Juromenha ()

Religious

thumb|235px|The isolated chapel of Nossa Senhora da Consolação in the parish of Nossa Senhora da Consolação

thumb|235px|The Gothic sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Assunção da Boa Nova, erected to honour the alliance between Castille and Portugal at the [[Battle of Río Salado|Battle of Salado]]

  • Chapel of Santo António ()
  • Chapel of São Sebastião ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição ()
  • Church of Nossa Senhora do Loreto ()
  • Church of Santo António ()
  • Church of São Brás ()
  • Church of São Francisco de Assissi ()
  • Church of São Pedro ()
  • Church of São Tigao ()
  • Church of the Misericórdia of Alandroal ()
  • Church of the Misericórdia of Juromenha ()
  • Church of the Misericórdia of Terena ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Consolação ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Vitória ()
  • Hermitage of Nossa Senhora das Neves ()
  • Hermitage of Santa Clara ()
  • Hermitage of Santo Amaro ()
  • Hermitage of Santo António ()
  • Hermitage of São Bento ()
  • Hermitage of São Pedro ()
  • Hermitage of São Sebastião ()
  • Hermitage/Shelter of Santa Marina ()
  • Hospice/Hermitage of Nossa Senhora da Saúde ()
  • Sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Assunção da Boa Nova (), the fortified Gothic sanctuary/church was founded in 1340 by D. Maria, wife of Alfonso XI Castilo and daughter of Afonso V of Portugal, after the victory at the Battle of Salado using a Greek cruciform plan. In 1700, it was remodelled by commander Luís Lencastre, followed later in the 18th century by the construction of two collateral altars, while maintaining the vaulted ceilings, itself painted in murals consisting of 20 rectangular images depicting the bible themes from the apocalypse of Saint John, and representations of the monarchs of the first dynasty;
  • Way of the Cross ()

Culture

Popular and religious festivals in the municipality include the annual pilgrimage to the sanctuary of Nossa Senhora da Boa Nova in Terena, during the Easter Sunday; the fair of São Bento, on 15 April; and the fair in Juromenha, on 10 August.

Local artisans are also proficient in working with cork, nerium woods and schist stone.

Notable citizens

  • Fernão Lopes (c. 1385 – after 1459) a Portuguese chronicler appointed by King Edward of Portugal
  • Diogo Lopes de Sequeira (c. 1465 - c. 1530), was Portuguese fidalgo, Governor of India (1518–1522)

References

Notes

Sources

  • Photos from ALANDROAL