Description Castelo de Vide

The castle surrounded by white houses stands out in the landscape and is undoubtedly the first surprise for the visitor. From the top, the Alentejo landscape acquires all its splendor. Small villages in the middle of the fields are lost sight of. Nearby, at about 20 km, Marvão looks out and a little further on you can see lands of Spain.

On the northern slope, between the Castle and the Fonte da Vila, a series of narrower streets delimit the historic core of Judiaria. The Castelo de Vide Jewish Quarter is one of the most important examples of the presence of Jews in our country, dating back to the 13th century, the time of D. Dinis. There we can find one of the best preserved Jewish buildings in Portugal, included in a program for the restoration of buildings and revitalization for a few years, where one of the largest civilian architectural remains of the Gothic period is preserved.

Stroll then, at random, through these steep and narrow streets and let yourself be enchanted by the charm of your medieval memory.

But Castelo de Vide has other monuments that are worth visiting. We speak for example of the Chapel of the Savior of the World, the oldest (late 13th century) whose interior is covered with panels of blue and white tiles, or the Chapel of São Roque built in the 19th century. XV and rebuilt in the century. XVIII. But these are just two of the 24 existing churches.

If you still have time and desire, you can climb the hill opposite Castelo de Vide, where the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Penha is located and from where you have another perspective of the village.

Castelo de Vide has always been known for its natural wealth, namely the thermal baths, whose water has therapeutic properties. You can find several fountains, being Fonte da Vila and Fonte da Mealhada the best known. However, here is an alert. Know that, if you believe the popular sayings, whoever drinks the water from Fonte da Mealhada will return to Castelo de Vide to get married.