Estremoz - Besides the large cities (which in Portugal can be counted on the fingers of one hand), very few Portuguese towns have been the setting for as many dramatic moments of our national history as Estremoz.
What to see: Town is crowned by a 13th century castle, with a citadel and St.lsabel Chapel (18th cent.). Special reference should also be given to the Gothic Dom Dinis Palace, S.Francisco Church and Convent (Roman-Gothic), Pacos do Concelho (14th cent.), Maltesas Convent (16th cent.), and the Municipal Museum. The church of the Misericórdia located on Estremoz's large market square was once a convent of the Knights of Malta.
Borba - Given a town charter by King Dinis, Borba is the center of an administrative area which is small but fiercely proud of its identity. This identity dates back to the very foundation of Portugal as a nation-state, as proved by the castle and city walls ordered built by King Afonso II. The whole place was built with local marble, including the paving stones in the streets.
What to see: The late 16th-century Church of São Bartolomeu is full of marble treasures, including the altars, tables, porticos, fonts, balustrades, basins and stairs. Rising above is a splendid vaulted Renaissance-style ceiling with medallions and religious paintings. In the centre of the town is a huge white marble tank and fountain built by Queen Maria I in 1781.
