Estremoz, municipality and city in Portugal
Estremoz is a town and municipality in the Alentejo region of Portugal, rising on a hilltop and visible from a distance. The old town is surrounded by protective stone walls and features a 13th-century castle with a tall tower, narrow cobbled streets lined with marble buildings, and a central square containing historic churches and convents.
Estremoz was officially founded in 1258 when King Afonso III granted it a royal charter, after which it became a fortified center during multiple conflicts in Portuguese history. The castle was built and expanded by King Dinis in the 13th century and served as a royal residence, while the town hosted major battles during Portugal's wars of independence.
Estremoz is known as one of the white cities of Alentejo, where whitewashed houses define the townscape. The hand-painted clay figurines called bonecos and local marble craftsmanship are part of the living tradition here, reflecting the everyday life of the region.
Visitors can enter the old town through four historic gates built into the city walls, all dating from the 17th century and made of local marble. It is best to explore the narrow streets of the upper section on foot, while the lower Vila Nova area with markets and shops is more easily accessible and busy on Saturdays.
The Rosa Aurora marble variety quarried here is known worldwide and was exported in ancient times to regions across Europe, Africa, and even India. This marble tradition shapes the townscape to this day and makes Estremoz an important center of global stone work.
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