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micas_pt Says: This tower is situated by one of the village doors – it has therefore a defensive purpose. Curiously, there is a bell on top of this tower. Legend says that this tower was named after Saint Roque because in the 16th century many people died of the plague and they used to...
micas_pt Says: The parish church in situated on the centre of the village by a small garden with orange trees where can be seen the pelourinho. The main chapel of this church is dedicated to Our Lady of Conception and inside there are azulejos (Portuguese tiles) from the 17th century –...
micas_pt Says: The pelourinho is a common artefact on most ancient Portuguese villages - it is a medieval symbol of the local power and most times it was used to public executions. This particular pelourinho, dates from the 16th century. On top of it, there is an eagle – the symbol of this...
micas_pt Says: The Convent has a church, quite simple on the outside, with a belfry on the left side of the main entrance. Inside the church you will find 4 chapels, one of which (dedicated to Santo António) with azulejos – Portuguese tiles. These azulejos have a pattern that dates from...
micas_pt Says: These walls were built in the 13th century when the military order of S. Bento de Aviz settled in this place. They were changed in the 15th century and there are few traces of the original walls left. Actually, some of them are part of private houses. Nowadays they are...
micas_pt Says: This garden is called Jardim do Mestre (Master's Garden). It's a very small garden where elderly men sit and spend their quiet afternoons. Since this garden stands on the top of the hill you get a fabulous view over part of the village and the plains that surround it, as...
micas_pt Says: I recommend a walk through the village (inside the castle walls). It won't take long and it's a pleasant way to get in touch with locals. When we walk and cross with locals, specially the elderly, they compliment us! Specially men (who still wear hat), stop their slow...
micas_pt Says: This door is called Arco do Anjo (Angel's Arch) and dates back to the 16th century. When you "enter" this door you will see the convent on your right side.
micas_pt Says: This restaurant has good food and it's cosy. Nice service but probably not too cheap (i don't know since i didn't see the bill).
micas_pt Says: Sorry but no night life.You' may try and go to Martins restaurant - on the side they have a cosy little bar.There is also a cinema that is open on Friday and Saturday nights for the 21h30m session.
White houses with yellow or blue stripes
micas_pt Says: Aviz’s typical houses, as well as in the Alentejo region, are painted in white and have blue or yellow stripes around the windows, doors and at the bottom. Some say that the blue stripes were meant to keep the bad spirits way from the house and owners. I wonder if the yellow...
micas_pt Says: All over Alentejo region, and also in Aviz, you will find orange trees in the streets and backyards. The orange trees are lined on the streets, and they give such a typical ambiance to these little white villages. It is very nice to see them in the season with the oranges,...
johnsakura Says: Alentejo has a lots of barrages like this one here on the bottom of the hill where the town stands. As you can imagine water compounds can be very tricky and you can get stucked inside and die. Every year and unfortunally, some kids die when go swiming with vigilance.
johnsakura Says: This little old friend here made me stay with him at least 10 minutes petting him. Well if you have nothing else to so its ok but if you do have other things to go or you need to travel again, this dog will take you time. :o)
micas_pt Says: Near the village there's a dam called Maranhão (the sign reads Barragem do Maranhão, Barragem is the Portuguese word for dam). It's a nice place to visit, it's green, very quiet and in summer it's fresh while everywhere else it's so hot. There are 2 places to visit in the...
johnsakura Says: You can go for a walk outside the city and you'll be able to enjoy the various different crops existing in the area.
johnsakura Says: This is a traditinal old game that I don't even know how to play. What I do know about it is that usually its only old people that insist on playing it although in many places in Portugal, many youngters already start to enjoy the game and taking it as a good way of passing...
micas_pt Says: Aviz is located in the district of Portalegre, in a larger region called Alentejo.It is about 180km distant from Lisbon and situated in the interior of mainland Portugal. Aviz is about 60km distant from Portalegre, the capital of the district, and about 65km away from Évora,...
micas_pt Says: This village, standing on the top of a hill and surrounded by plains, was choosen to be the headquarter of the Aviz Order. This occured during one of the most prosperous dinasties which lead Portugal to the splendour of glory and wealthy. The first king of the second...
Plan a Aviz vacation with reviews, tips and photos posted by real travelers and Aviz locals
This view stands from the opposite side of the water compound of the barrage of Maranhao. You can notice how small the town actually is.
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Aviz is a very quiet place, with elderly population. When visiting Aviz, there's almost nothing to do - just walk through its narrow streets inside the wall, and visit a few spots. Almost no...
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The Castilian order of the Knights of Calatrava assisted in driving the Moors from Portugal and in 1166 settled at Evora. Alfonso II granted (1211) them Aviz, and this branch of the order became...
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