PR1 ARR Percurso da Esperança

Share Image

Hills and valleys, olive groves and montados (dehesas)... Small houses, large lands... Alentejo... A river that is the border, joining Portugal and Spain. A path separating gardens and estates… Stone paintings make us go back 3000 years. In every sound a meaning: the chirping of birds; the shepherd’s voice; the croaking of frogs; the bleating of sheep; and the whispering wind. In Esperança, the church, the houses and the people are indelible signs of its authenticity. It is a village of typical Alentejo features, where you can meet the harmonious Church and the small houses, whitewashed and with bands of color, with large chimneys. From the geomorphological point of view, this region makes the transition between S. Mamede hills and Alentejo plains. The montado (dehesa) in excellent conditions, is of particular importance in the region associated with montes (estates) of reasonable dimensions. Also worth mentioning some olive groves and small gardens. Between the hills of Louções, Barroca do Sapo and Monte do Carcavão we find flatter areas where cattle (sheep and cows) graze in properly delimited areas. Marco is a raiana location next to small river of Abrilongo. This stream marks the Portuguese-Spanish border along a considerable extent. The Rock Paintings of Vale de Junco (2500-3000 BC ) are located in the SW side of Louções hills, a rocky refuge. The paintings have usually red tones, representing essentially human silhouettes, hands and animals.