Aviz Travel Guide

 
by micas_pt
 
  •   Aviz
    by micas_pt
  •   Aviz
    by micas_pt
  • aviz portugal alentejo
      aviz portugal alentejo
    by johnsakura
  • aviz portugal alentejo
      aviz portugal alentejo
    by johnsakura
  • aviz portugal alentejo
      aviz portugal alentejo
    by johnsakura
 

Explore Aviz

Things to Do  

Tower of São Roque

Tower of São Roque, Aviz

 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... 

Parish Church

Parish Church, Aviz

 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 –... 

Pelourinho

Pelourinho, Aviz

 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... 

Convent’s Church

Convent’s Church, Aviz

 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... 

The castle walls'

The castle walls', Aviz

 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... 

The garden

The garden, Aviz

 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... 

A walk through the village

A walk through the village, Aviz

 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... 

The village door

The village door, Aviz

 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. 

Nightlife  

Aviz' night life
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2.5 out of 5 starsHelpfulness

micas_pt 1207 reviews

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.

Updated Apr 14, 2004

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Local Customs  

White houses with yellow or blue stripes

White houses with yellow or blue stripes, Aviz

 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... 

Orange trees

Orange trees, Aviz

 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,... 

Warnings and Dangers  

Maranhao barrage
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johnsakura 3944 reviews
aviz portugal alentejo

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.

Written Jan 19, 2004

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Tourist Traps  

Dog
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johnsakura 3944 reviews
aviz portugal alentejo

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)

Written Jan 19, 2004

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Off The Beaten Path  

The dam

The dam, Aviz

 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... 

Fields in the area

Fields in the area, Aviz

 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. 

Herd of sheeps near Maranhao

Herd of sheeps near Maranhao, Aviz

 johnsakura Says:  This is the place right close to the bank of the water compound of the Maranhao barrage.As you can see this is almost perfect for the sheeps to grow. Relaxed and enough space to be free. This place of the Maranhao barrge is a nice place to come in the summer and enjoy the... 

Sports & Outdoors  

Malha
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johnsakura 3944 reviews
aviz portugal alentejo

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 a afternoon with some friend's company.

Equipment: iron balls.

Written Jan 19, 2004

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Favorites  

Location

Location, Aviz

 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,... 

The Order of Aviz

The Order of Aviz, Aviz

 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... 

House with statues

House with statues, Aviz

 johnsakura Says:  This house is quite strange for the town. It has a very strange garden with decorated with statues that I think might be from the 18th century.This house is located on the hill side contrary of the barrage. In front of the house exists a garden. 

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Map of Aviz