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- Beja, formerly known as “Pax Julia” in Roman times, hides a rich history that unfolds in plain sight as you explore its medieval castle, Gothic cathedral, and charming museums. Yet, Beja is more than just a repository of history. The city’s vibrant cultural scene comes alive in its festivals, concerts, and lively street parades.
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Aug 10, 2024 · Rising like a pyramid above vast plains of surrounding wheat fields, Beja stands proud as the capital of the Lower (Baixo) Alentejo region. Founded by Julius Caesar himself, it was known in Roman times as Pax Julia until the Moorish invasion in AD 711 when it grew into an important cultural centre.
- Beja Castle. Beja Castle, an imposing fortress standing high above the town, is one of the most significant historical landmarks in Beja. Dating back to Roman times, the castle has undergone several reconstructions and modifications throughout its history, reflecting the various influences of Visigothic, Moorish, and Christian periods.
- Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição. The Convento de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, or Convent of Our Lady of the Conception, is a remarkable religious site located in Beja, Portugal.
- Hospital da Misericórdia. The Hospital da Misericórdia in Beja is a historic building with a storied past, reflecting the charitable and religious spirit of the region.
- Jardim Público de Beja. The Jardim Público de Beja, or Public Garden of Beja, is a refreshing oasis in the heart of the Alentejo region’s warm and arid landscape.
- Museu Rainha Dona Leonor
- Castelo de Beja
- Igreja de Santo Amaro
- Núcleo Museológico Da Rua Do Sembrano
- Pelourinho de Beja
- Museu Jorge Vieira
- Arco Romano
- Monumento Ao Prisioneiro Político Desconhecido
- Ruínas Romanas de Pisões
- Jardim Gago Coutinho E Sacadura Cabral
The former Convent of the Conception in Beja has been a museum of some form since 1791, and is the oldest in Portugal. Also known as the Beja Regional Museum, it’s an attraction that lets the architecture and furnishings do the talking. There are many beautiful flourishes like the traceried balustrade capping the church and cloister, the frescos on...
A lasting symbol for Beja, the Torre de Menagem is made entirely from marble and crests at 40 metres, putting it among the tallest keeps on the Iberian Peninsula. Up close you can also appreciate its late Gothic and Manueline flourishes in the window traceries and slender pointed merlons. And at the top you can see for miles in every direction. Thi...
The Beja Regional Museum has another branch at this ancient church. The Igreja de Santo Amaro was actually founded in the 900s when Beja was under Moorish control. And while it is now a chapel within a newer church dating to the 1500s, a lot of pre-Romanesque art remains at this Portuguese National Monument. It shows the first signs of a hierarchy ...
Excavations in the centre of Beja in the 80s and 90s revealed signs of civilisation from as early as the Bronze Age. At Rua do Sembrano these vestiges were complete enough that the city decided to build a small museum over them with a glass floor so you can marvel at the layers of history below Beja’s streets. There are panels to explain what each ...
No medieval Portuguese town would be complete without a pillory. This was a practical implement to detain an offender for a very public punishment. But it also had a symbolic power, as a statement of authority. During the Manueline period at the start of the 16th century, pillories like this one took on very decorative stonework. The monument on Pr...
Jorge Vieira was a 20th century surrealist sculptor, and one of the country’s preeminent artists working during the 50s and 60s, having studied under Henry Moore in London. In the 90s he donated a trove of his work to the town, and in 1995 the museum was set up in a lovely building in the old centre that had been in a state of ruin before its resto...
This Roman archway beside the castle is not exactly a show-stopping sight, but it’s valuable enough to be listed as a Portuguese National Monument. If you’re an antiquarian you might also get frissons knowing these stones have conducted people in and out of the town for more than 1,700 years. It is wedged between the old town ramparts and the medie...
Jorge Vieira’s ties to Beja were strengthened when in 1994 he donated this eerie and moving piece of public art to the town. This sculpture, designed as a plea for freedom of thought, was selected at the International Sculpture Competition organised by the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London in 1953. It was also at the Portugal Pavilion for th...
When you stop by the tourist office in Beja be sure to ask about these Roman ruins to the southwest of the town. They are absolutely magnificent, but there has been a dispute between the different authorities in charge of the site and there are no official opening times. You can arrange a tour with a local guide, and it’s recommended. This used to ...
This calm green space to the southeast of the old centre has had an interesting past: From medieval times up to the 1500s it was part of the Convent of São Francisco, used as a kitchen garden. Then in the 16th century it became a military training ground, which it remained until the 1800s. But as the town grew in the 19th century Beja’s inhabitants...
The site of modern Beja has been occupied since the beginning of modern history. However, it was the Roman empire that most contributed to its early development. It was here, in 1 bc that Julius Cesar signed a peace treaty with the Lusitanian tribes who had previously ruled these lands.
Jul 8, 2024 · However, in inland Portugal there is a magical and not so well known town called Beja, the capital of the Baixo Alentejo region. In this article you will find all the information you need about visiting Beja and what to do when you get there.
May 10, 2024 · Beyond its well-known attractions lies a treasure trove of hidden gems, each with its own charm and allure. Join us on an adventure as we peel back the layers of Beja’s rich tapestry, revealing 10 hidden gems that epitomize the city’s essence.
