Alter do Chão () is a town and a municipality in the District of Portalegre in Portugal. The population in 2011 was 3,562, in an area of .

The present Mayor is Francisco Miranda, elected by a centre-right coalition of the Social Democratic Party and the People's Party. The municipal holiday is Ascension Day. The municipality is famous for its horsebreeding and high school of horseriding.

History

Human presence in Alter do Chão area dates back to the Neolithic, with around 30 dolmens identified across the municipality. Archaeological excavations near the Castle of Alter do Chão and the Casa do Álamo garden uncovered stone and ceramic artifacts associated with a prehistoric settlement, indicating habitation as early as the late 4th millennium BCE.

The town received its first foral (royal charter) in 1232, granted by Vicente Hispano, Bishop of Guarda. Another foral was issued in 1249, by King Afonso III.

  • Alter do Chão
  • Chancelaria
  • Cunheira
  • Seda

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File:Castelo de Alter do Chão II.JPG|Local castle.

File:Interior de Alter do Chão I.JPG|A typical city street.

File:Igreja Matriz em Alter do Chão.JPG|The local church.

File:PonteVilaFormosa.jpg|Roman Bridge of Vila Formosa.

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Landmarks

Alter do Chão's historical and architectural heritage includes castles, bridges, and religious monuments scattered across the municipality.

The Castle of Alter do Chão, located inside the town, is a 13th century fortress, which got converted into a noble residence under the House of Braganza in the 15th century. It is classified as a National Monument and features Gothic architectural elements including arched doorways, ribbed vaults, and battlements.

Outside the town, there are two castle ruins. The Castle of Alter Pedroso, an Islamic-origin fortification conquered in 1160 by King Afonso I with the help of the Knights Templar. In the parish of Seda, stand the remains of the Castle of Seda, the former medieval town walls reinforced by circular towers. Northwest of the town lies the Chapel of Santo António dos Olivais, which combines Renaissance, proto-Baroque, and vernacular styles, with a chancel decorated with painted ribbed vaults and blue-and-yellow tiles.

Notable people

  • Artur Pastor (1922 – 1999) a photographer.
  • Rodrigo Torres (born 1977) a dressage rider.

International relations

Alter do Chão is twinned with Negrești-Oaș, Romania since 2016.

References

  • Town Hall official website
  • Photos from Alter do Chão