JOANA MIRANDA STUDIO

On our recent trip to Portugal, we rented a car and drove northeast to the Alentejo region of Portugal.  Our destination was the magical, medieval, mountain-top town of Marvão – a town on the border with Spain so high up that the locals say “from Marvão you can look down on eagle’s backs.”

We stopped first in the nearby town of Castelo de Vide, arriving at midday – siesta hour – when the town was mostly vacant except for the few locals by the town square fountain.

Making our way up the narrow, winding and quaint streets…

We arrived at the castle where we had picturesque views over the town…

And all the way to our next mountain-top destination (see black arrow) of Marvão.

Driving to Marvão was easy enough, but once we got within the castle walls,  I was afraid the side mirrors of our small car wouldn’t fit.  Here’s what  driving in Marvao is like…

(Fortunately, I just had to be the supportive co-pilot!)

We checked into the Pousada Santa Maria…

Where our room and terrace overlooked the mountains of Spain, as well as the pretty tiled roofs towards the Pousada dining room below.

Since it was getting to be late afternoon, we made our way towards the castle to explore and catch the sunset.

As was advertised, from here you can see all of Europe!

The higher we climbed, the more spectacular the views.   Suffice to say, there isn’t a bad view ANYWHERE in Marvão!

It was from the above vantage point that I created this quick illustration:

As you can see, we had the run of the castle (that’s my husband waving from his rampart…)

And it felt like we got our own private sunset, too!

The next morning we were up bright and early (we pretty much had the dining room to ourselves)…

And we feasted on local meats, cheeses, juices, fresh fruits, cereals…

 

And a homemade cake or two!!

Nicely sated, we explored the streets of the town…

And passed by the local laundromat…

Before climbing back into our car to head down the mountain.  This will be one town we’ll never forget!