Description Moura

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Moura is a Portuguese town in the district of Beja, in the Alentejo region and sub-region of Baixo Alentejo, with about 11,000 inhabitants

It is the seat of a municipality with 958.46 km² in area and 15 167 inhabitants (2011), subdivided into 5 parishes. The municipality is limited to the north by the municipality of Mourão, to the east by Barrancos, to the east and south by Spain, to the southwest by Serpa and to the west by Vidigueira, Portel and Reguengos de Monsaraz.

There are many interesting features for visitors to see in this bright and cheerful Alentejo city, located close to the Guadiana river. This is a region of rolling hills, planted with extensive olive groves and producing excellent wines.

Any tour of the city should certainly include a visit to Mouraria, one of the largest and best preserved Moorish neighborhoods in the entire country, exhibiting all the typical features of Arab residential areas. On Rua da Muralha Nova, on the edge of this neighborhood, visitors can see a section of the castle walls built in the late 17th century. Another essential item to be included in a city tour is the Arab Museum. It was built around a well that dates from the time of the Moorish occupation and is in an excellent state of preservation.
Above the building that was once the City Hall, but now houses the Municipal Library, stands the impressive Torre da Taipa, also from the Arab period.

When strolling through the streets of Moura, observe the thick chimneys following the vertical lines of the walls of the house, a typical feature of Alentejo architecture. You will also find some delicious churches: the parish church dedicated to São João Baptista and the churches of Carmo and São Francisco are worthy of further attention.

Moura also contains a unique example of military architecture from the early 17th century, known as the Barracks Building. This row of buildings has already included a group of barracks facing south and north. At one end is the chapel of the Lord Jesus of the Barracks.

About 3 km from the city, there is a picturesque military watchtower known as Atalaia Magra, on top of an isolated hill.