We begin the visit with the Torre de Menagem (male) of the Castle, so important in the struggles to defend the borders of Portugal. All marble and with its 40 meters high is the emblem of the city. It is worth climbing to the top and admire the city and the Alentejo landscape.
Three churches are nearby: the Igreja de Santiago, the Sé (cathedral) and the Igreja de Santo Amaro, which houses the Visigothic nucleus of the Museu Regional. Continuing along Rua D. Manuel, and after passing in front of the university, located in an old hospital, we arrive in the centre of the city, the Praça da República.
On the sides, the buildings with foundations from the Manueline period give a peculiar tone to the square, where you can see a pelourinho (pillory column) also from the 16th century and the Igreja da Misericórdia, an important Renaissance church. Continuing along rua do Touro we reach the Museu Jorge Vieira, dedicated to an important Portuguese sculptor of the 20th century, best known for his terracotta representations.
