|
|
| The tranquil and picturesque highland village of Monchique nestling high in the richly forested mountain range of the same name provides clean air, slightly scented with eucalyptus, dramatic views of the surrounding mountain ridges and other more restful sights for eyes in need of a change from beaches, holiday resorts, and the general bustle of the coast. |
|
| There are few historical monuments to visit in Monchique, nevertheless the 16th century parish church has an impressive Manueline doorway and there is the ruined Franciscan Monastery of Nossa Senhora do Desterro built in 1632, of which only the empty shell remains. |
| Monchique has historically lived from agricultural produce, charcoal production and wood craft (an good example being the folding Monchique wooden chairs, made in the Roman tradition, on sale in many of the craft shops in the village). More recently, the village has become synonymous with a range of classic knitwear, which is on sale, at very reasonable prices in a good many shops both in Monchique and at many other locations in the Algarve. |
| South of the village of Monchique by some 4 miles (6 km) is the small spa town of Caldas de Monchique whose waters, famous for the past 2000 years, are said to cure a variety of evils including rheumatism, back-ache and asthma. The Romans were particularly fond of this place and its popularity soared during the Middle Ages when King D. João II of Portugal (reigning from 1481-1495) regularly visited the spa hoping that the waters would cure his dropsy, from which he was to die shortly afterwards. |
| The Serra de Monchique mountain range along with the Serra de Caldeirão form a natural boundary separating the Algarve from the Alentejo. During the Reconquista (the campaign of the Northern Christians to drive the Muslims from Iberia) the Moors took advantage of the natural defence provided by these mountain ranges to cling onto their territories in the Algarve which was the very last region to be conquered for Christendom in Portugal. |
|
|
|
|
Print
Send
Back
Monchique
Algarve Guide
