Portugal: Monsaraz

The fortified village of Monsaraz is an absolute fairytale – completely enclosed within medieval walls, it is one of the oldest, best-preserved, and most visually spectacular such fortified villages in all of Portugal. The entire settlement sits on top of a vertical hill and is surrounded by medieval walls. It’s really just a couple of cobblestone streets leading to a grand fortress at the southern tip, built in the 14th century by King Dinis. Inside – there is an actual bullring, no longer used m, but perfectly intact. There are super panoramic views of the village and the surrounding landscape and the lake to be had from the top of the tallest watchtower. Also in the village is a very beautiful and ornate Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Lagoa, itself a conversion from an earlier mosque when the town was captured from the Moors in 1167.