Description Avis

This picturesque Alentejo village, made up of narrow streets and whitewashed houses, keeps the memory of the ancient and powerful Military Order of Avis. After being conquered from the Moors in 1211, D. Afonso II donated the land to Fernando Anes, Master of the Freires of Évora, future Order of Avis, with the purpose of populating it and erecting the castle, which was done between 1214 and 1223 When making the circuit of the village you will find three of its six original towers: da Rainha, Santo António and S. Roque, as well as some cloths of medieval wall that merge with the houses of the village. At the top of the granite hill, surrounded by the waters of a stream, Avis was born under the protective shadow of the Convent of the Order that gave it its name.

Enter Largo do Convento through Porta da Vila, next to Torre da Rainha, which frames a beautiful panoramic view of the plain that stretches out of sight.

In this historic center, visit the church and the part of the premises of the former convent of the Military Order of S. Bento de Avis that is restored. The building next door, now occupied by the City Hall, was once part of the residence of the Masters of the Order. Walking to the left you will find in front of the stairs of the Municipal garden, the original pillory, decorated with masks and frowns. The set crowns an eagle with wings outstretched, symbol of the village. In this area, it is also worth visiting the mother church (15th century), lined inside with polychrome tiles from the 19th century. XVII.

Let yourself be carried away by the charm of the narrow streets with medieval flavor and the whiteness of the walls of the small houses of Alentejo architecture and rest in the small but charming Jardim do Mestre de Avis, strolling over the village at your feet and the immense plain.

In the surroundings, be sure to visit the Maranhão dam, a work from the 1950s for irrigation, where you can practice various sports. The viewpoint allows you to enjoy a magnificent view over the waters of this artificial lake and over the surrounding pastures and crops.